In this retrospective study a simple modification of implanting an int
raocular lens into the anterior chamber during penetrating keratoplast
y is presented. In 14 patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty
after cataract extraction, the intraocular lens was placed back to fro
nt in the anterior chamber so that the haptic was angled anteriorly. P
ostoperative follow-up was 18 months on the average. There was signifi
cant improvement in vision. All 9 patients with painful bullous kerato
pathy were relieved of their pain. One case of mild, transient uveitis
and glaucoma and two dilated pupils were seen postoperatively. No maj
or complications have been observed so far. This study suggests that t
his simple method, in some cases, might be favourable when implanting
an intraocular lens during penetrating keratoplasty, in the absence of
capsular support.