Post-keratoplasty emergency visits at a hospital in Jordan.

Objective: To evaluate the different complaints and presentations, such as emergency visits, after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), ways of management, and the outcome of these visits.

Methods: This prospective study included a total of 60 consecutive emergency visits by 55 post-PKP patients at the eye clinic in King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan between January 2007 and January 2008.

Results: Fifty-five patients were included (66.7%) with a preoperative diagnosis of keratoconus. Pain and gritty sensation were the main presenting symptoms; loose irritating sutures (26.7%), and graft rejection (25%) were the most common diagnoses. Fourteen patients (23%) were admitted to the hospital for either re-suturing or intensive treatment, the graft survived in all patients, while the visual acuity was preserved in 96.3%.

Conclusion: Proper postoperative care is critical for a successful penetrating keratoplasty; early intervention of sight threatening complications increases the chance of graft survival and best-obtained vision.