SURGICAL RESULTS OF PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY IN ESSENTIAL IRIS ATROPHY

BACKGROUND: Results of penetrating keratoplasty in iridocorneal endoth elial syndrome have been considered favorable based on past studies; h owever, documented results in eyes specifically with essential iris at rophy are lacking. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to eva luate all patients at the University of Pittsburgh with essential iris atrophy who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty for corneal decomp ensation over 21 years (1971-1992). RESULTS: Penetrating keratoplasty had been performed on six eyes with essential iris atrophy for corneal decompensation. All eyes postoperatively had evidence of persistent a nterior uveitis resistant to corticosteroid treatment with one or more episodes of graft reaction. Five of the six eyes (83.3%) ultimately w ent on to graft failure. Two of the six eyes (33.3%) rejected grafts o n two separate occasions. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating keratoplasty in ess ential iris atrophy was frequently associated with chronic anterior uv eitis and immunologic graft failure.