High Intraocular Pressure after Penetrating Keratoplasty versus Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Keratoconus Patients

To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) versus deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in keratoconus eyes.

This retrospective study included 356 PK eyes (group 1) and 684 DALK eyes (group 2). IOP was measured in all eyes during postoperative follow-up. The study groups were compared in the rate of high IOP encountered postoperatively.

The follow-up period was 59.4±44.1 and 62.4±38.9 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.70). Postoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.24±0.18 and 0.29±0.19 logMAR, respectively (P=0.13). Graft rejection occurred in 34.6% and 25.8% of eyes in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.30). IOP >21 mmHg was observed in 42 eyes (11.8%) in group 1 and 18 eyes (2.6%) in group 2 during the follow-up period (P=0.03). IOP was controlled medically in all of these eyes.

High IOP was more frequently encountered in the PK group as compared to the DALK group. IOP was controlled medically in all of these eyes and no patients required surgical intervention.