Penetrating keratoplasty for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Management of the intraocular lens.

Management of the intraocular lens (IOL) at the time of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy has been based on lens-related factors and coexisting anterior segment abnormalities. The authors reviewed the results of PK for 102 cases of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (43 anterior chamber, 50 iris-supported, and 9 posterior chamber) with respect to: (1) the type of IOL, (2) coexisting abnormalities, and (3) management of the IOL at surgery. Graft failure after 2 years of follow-up was: (1) retained iris-supported IOLs, 9%; (2) retained anterior chamber IOLs, 60%; (3) retained posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOL), 0%; (4) removed IOLs, 9%; and (5) exchanged IOLs, 20%. After 5 years of follow-up, 13 of 13 PKs with retained closed-loop anterior chamber IOLs had failed. Visual results were best in eyes with retained iris-supported, rigid anterior chamber or PC IOLs and when the IOL was removed without replacement. The authors recommend that closed-loop anterior chamber lenses and unstable lenses of any type be removed or exchanged and that well-fixated PC IOLs and iris-clip IOLs be retained at the time of PK for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.