Results of excimer laser penetrating keratoplasty in aphakic eyes.

Background: Corneal grafting in aphakic eyes is often challenging. We report about the outcome of excimer laser trephination in aphakic eyes.

Methods: We examined 17 eyes of 17 patients. Diagnosis in 11 eyes was endothelial decompensation and in six, corneal scars. We performed an excimer laser keratoplasty with intraoperative "Flieringa ring" suturing. Follow-up ranged between 3 and 41 (17.6 ± 11.7) months. Main outcome measures included: best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), topographic astigmatism, corneal refractive power (CRP), central corneal thickness (CCT) and endothelial cell density (ECD).

Results: Preoperative BCVA was light perception in two eyes, hand motion in seven, finger counting in one eye, under 20/400 in six eyes and 20/200 in one eye. IOP ranged between 4 and 28 (13.6 ± 5.1) mmHg. Topographic astigmatism ranged from 0.5 to 18.5 (7.0 ± 6.9) dioptres. CRP was between 38 and 59 (46 ± 9) dioptres. CCT was between 404 and 1069 (748 ± 181) μm. Postoperative BCVA was hand motion in five eyes, under 20/400 in two and ranged between 20/200 and 20/20 in ten eyes. IOP ranged between 10 and 40 (18.3 ± 8.5) mmHg. Topographic astigmatism ranged from 0.9 to 13 (5.5 ± 3.2) dioptres. CRP was between 31.9 and 46.7 (42 ± 4.1) dioptres. CCT was between 349 and 820 (552 ± 115.57) μm. ECD was between 592 and 2319 (1674 ± 553) cells/mm(2).

Conclusions: Excimer laser trephination can deliver beneficial visual outcomes in most of the aphakic eyes.