Penetrating keratoplasty for pseudophakic corneal edema with exchange of intraocular lenses.

We studied one eye in each of 25 consecutive patients with pseudophakic corneal edema. Each patient underwent a penetrating keratoplasty with exchange of intraocular lenses and was followed up for 12 to 38 months (mean, 18.7 months). The corneal graft remained clear in 22 (88%) eyes, but only eight eyes (32%) had acuity of 20/40 or better; nine eyes (36%) manifested cystoid macular edema, and six eyes (24%) had degenerative maculopathy. Elevated intraocular pressure was present in 12 eyes after surgery, with three eyes manifesting visual field loss; in all eyes the condition was controlled medically. Peripheral anterior synechiae appeared postoperatively in two eyes. We now treat severe cases of pseudophakic corneal edema with a penetrating keratoplasty, meticulous anterior vitrectomy, gonioplasty, iridoplasty, and exchange of intraocular lenses, employing a flexible-loop anterior chamber lens or a posterior chamber lens sutured to the iris.