Penetrating Keratoplasty a boon in different corneal diseases to improve social life

Abstract

PKP can visually rehabilitate many of those who suffer from visual impairment due to corneal diseases so the primary objective of this study was to report treatment results of patients, who received a total penetrating Keratoplasty for various corneal diseases. Purpose: Review the surgical treatment, anatomical and functional results, and complications of treatment in this group of patients at our institution in terms of graft survival and visual acuity.Methods: This was a hospital based prospective study done in 70 patients admitted in ophthalmology ward, department of Ophthalmology, Basaveshwar teaching general hospital, M.R. Medical college, Kalaburagi over a period of two years. Patients diagnosed with non-healing corneal ulcer, corneal perforation, bullous keratopathy, infectious keratitis, autoimmune disease, injury of the eyeball (mainly chemical burns), and other combined disorders were indicated for total penetrating Keratoplasty After a complete ocular examination, total penetrating Keratoplasty (diameter ≥ 10.0 mm) was performed. The surgical technique involved dissection of affected tissues with a margin of minimum 1.0 mm of non-affected tissue. The size of the corneal graft ranged from 10.0 to 14.0 mm,Results: This group consisted of 36 females, whose mean age was 66.13 ± 9.94 (range 39 to 80 years), and 34 males, whose mean age was 63.69 ± 14.48 (range 32 to 92 years). There was no statistically significant difference with respect to gender and age between both groups. The main cause of surgical treatment failure was persistent epithelial defect, observed in 28 (40%) operated eyes, resulting from decreased corneal sensitivity and impaired tear production. Conclusion: Our study confirms that Full Thickness Penetrating Keratoplasty: Surgical boon and effective tool in management of chronic non-healing microbial corneal ulcer refractory to medical therapy, corneal dystrophy and degenerations and various other corneal diseases at my geographical area. It not only eliminates infection but also maintain globe integrity and improve visual acuity and thus improving social life