Combined penetrating keratoplasty and mechanical anterior vitrectomy

Forty patients with aphakic bullous keratopathy undergoing combined penetrating keratoplasty and anterior vitrectomy using mechanical vitreous instruments were studied for a mean length of 36 months. Seventy percent of the grafts remained clear and thirty percent failed during the follow-up period. Fifty-three percent of those with clear grafts (15/28) obtained a visual acuity of 20/70 or better. In comparison to older methods of anterior vitrectomy, we have found that removal of vitreous with mechanical vitreous instruments offers more effective removal of solid and liquid vitreous, decreased surgical time, and decreased retinal traction. Further, it is easy to learn to use and handle these instruments.