Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate functional and anatomical results after combined pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) using a temporary Landers intraoperative keratoprosthesis (KP) in patients with vitreoretinal pathology and corneal opacity.
Methods:
Medical records of 16 patients (mean age 36.5 years) who had undergone PPV/PKP/KP due to trauma (12) or endophthalmitis (2) or uveitis (1) or bullous keratopathy (1) and retinal detachment were analysed. The mean follow-up period was 11.8 months. Functional (best-corrected visual acuity: improved, stable, worsened) and anatomic outcomes (clear corneal graft, retinal reattachment) were assessed during the follow-up
Results:
Preoperative visual acuity ranged from no light perception to counting fingers. Visual acuity improved in 6 cases, was stable in 8 eyes and worsened in 2 cases. The corneal graft was transparent during the follow-up in 4 cases (25%). Graft failure was observed in 7 eyes (43%). Phtysis bulbi evolved in 5 cases (32%). Silicone oil was used as a tamponade in all cases, retina was reattached in 14 cases.
Conclusions:
Combined PPV and PKP with the use of temporary Landers keratoprosthesis allowed for surgical intervention in patients with vitreoretinal pathology coexisting with severe corneal opacification. However, after one year of observation, although retina was attached in most of cases, corneal graft survived only in one-fourth of patients.