A Clinical Study on Visual Outcome and Complications of Penetrating Keratoplasty

Aim: To evaluate visual outcome and complications of penetrating keratoplasty. Materials and Methods: 30 cases underwent penetrating keratoplasty for optical and therapeutic purpose. Clinical examination and investigations were conducted. Indications, demographic profile, visual outcome and complications were assessed.Follow up period was 6 months. Results: 93.33% operated for optical and 6.67% for therapeutic purpose.Most common indication was corneal opacity(36.7%) followed by bullous keratopathy (33.3%). Others wereregraft (13.3%), non-healing infectious keratitis (6.7%), fuch’s endothelial dystrophy (6.7%), andkeratoconus (3.3%). Majority of patients (54%) were involved in agriculturaland construction work.Preoperative vision of30% wasPL, 20% had HM,16.7% had CFCF and23.3% had CF 0.5 meter.BCVA improved in 76.7 % cases and there was no improvement in 23.3% cases and the causes wererejection due to ocular inflammation, graftinfection,glaucoma and retinal pathology detected after surgery.Complications were AC reaction, persistent epithelial defect, filamentary keratitis, suture infiltrate, fistula, vascularization, graft infection, glaucoma, cystoid macular edema and rejection. Surgical success wasachieved in 83.3% cases and therapeutic success in 100% cases. Conclusion: Penetrating keratoplasty may be considered in patients with corneal blindness and refractory corneal ulcers as it can save the eye and bring back vision.