Glaucoma in the immediate postoperative period after penetrating keratoplasty

In a prospective study 155 consecutive patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty were examined for postoperative increase in intraocular pressure to determine the frequency and duration of intraocular pressure spikes, risk factors, and response to treatment. Patients were maintained on preoperative glaucoma medications except miotics. Additional medications to lower intraocular pressure perioperatively were not given. Intraocular pressure was measured two to five hours, one day, and one week postoperatively. An intraocular pressure of 30 mm Hg or greater was considered an increase in pressure and was treated according to a standardized protocol. The results were analyzed by procedure as well as by variables commonly perceived to be associated with intraocular pressure increase (history of glaucoma, use of hyaluronate, lysis of the synechiae, or vitrectomy at the time of the operation). Overall, intraocular pressure increases in the early postoperative period occurred in 18 of 155 patients (12%). Pressure increases occurred in ten of 48 patients (21%) with a history of glaucoma; five of 24 patients (21%) undergoing combined penetrating keratoplasty, extracapsular cataract extraction, and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation; and ten of 43 patients (23%) undergoing vitrectomy at the time of penetrating keratoplasty.