LONG-TERM RESULTS AFTER PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY FOR FUCHS ENDOTHELIAL DYSTROPHY

Objective: To determine the graft survival, visual outcome, complicati ons, and frequency of subsequent cataract extraction after penetrating keratoplasty for Fuchs' dystrophy. Design: The medical records of 236 patients with the diagnosis of Fuchs' dystrophy who were examined on the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa, between Ja uary 1, 1988, and December 31, 1988, were reviewed retrospectively. Su bjects: Penetrating keratoplasties had been or were subsequently perfo rmed on 130 phakic eyes of the 236 patients with Fuchs' dystrophy. Res ults were analyzed in 126 eyes with at least 1 year of follow-up. Stat istical analysis was done to determine the risk factors for subsequent cataract surgery in the first eye of patients who had penetrating ker atoplasty as their initial surgical procedure. Results: Mean +/- SD fo llow-up after transplantation was 8.4 +/- 4.8 years. The graft remaine d clear in 112 eyes (89%). A best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 81 eyes (64%). Graft rejection occurred in 37 e yes (29%). Subsequent cataract surgery was performed in 55 eyes (44%), and the mean time from transplantation was 3.5+/-3.4, years. Advanced age at the time of transplantation was a significant risk factor for h aving cataract extraction (P=.003, Mantel-Haenszel X(2) test) and a sh orter time to cataract surgery after penetrating keratoplasty (P=.04, Mantel-Haenszel X(2) test). Pregraft lens status approached significan ce as a risk factor for subsequent cataract surgery (P=.07, Mantel-Hae nszel X(2) test). Conclusions: Long-term results are favorable after p enetrating keratoplasty for Fuchs' dystrophy. In older patients with F uchs' dystrophy and mild-to-moderate lens changes, combined penetratin g keratoplasty, cataract extraction, and intraocular lens implantation procedure should be considered.