EVALUATION OF ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN POSTKERATOPLASTY EYES

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate corneal endothelium function in postkeratoplasty eyes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Endothelial function was assessed in 23 clear corneal grafts. After a measurable corneal edema was induced by soft contact lens wear, serial pachometric readings wer e taken for 3 hours to arrive at the percentage recovery per hour (PRP H) index. RESULTS: The assessed PRPH values of the clear corneal graft s ranged from 24.6% to 73.0%, with a mean value of 51.8% +/- 12.2%. Of the six corneal grafts that demonstrated an initial PRPH value of les s than 47.5%, four became edematous within 6 months of follow-up. CONC LUSIONS: Assessed PRPH, as an in vivo-measured index of endothelial fu nction, is a valuable method for monitoring endothelial function in po stkeratoplasty eyes. The low PRPH index identifies eyes at risk of spo ntaneous nonimmunologic failures.