Long-Term Observation of Aqueous Flare Following Penetrating Keratoplasty

Purpose. To understand the influence of preoperative corneal conditions, combined implant surgeries, and subsequent rejection on the aqueous flare value following penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Methods. A total of 86 eyes of 86 patients were included. PK alone was performed on eyes with keratoconus (n = 7), corneal scar (from previous trauma or nonherpetic infection; n = 19), pseodophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) (n = 16), and for regraft (n = 14). Combined ECCE and PC-IOL implantation (triple procedure) was performed on 17 eyes with corneal scar, and combined AC-IOL exchange was performed on 13 eyes with PBK. Aqueous flare was measured with a laser flare-cell meter at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The mean follow-up was 24.7 (range 7–76) months. Results. There were 11 cases (12.8%) of endothelial rejection (two in PK for corneal scar group, two in triple procedure group, two in PK for PBK group, three in PK and AC-IOL exchange group, and two in regraft group). Two corneas in PK for corneal scar group, one in PK and AC-IOL exchange group, and one in regraft group cleared up later; the remaining seven cases failed subsequently. Another 10 grafts (11.6%) failed from other causes. Eventually, 69 grafts (80.2%) remained clear at last follow-up. There was a significant difference in aqueous flare values among eyes undergoing PK only for keratoconus, corneal scar, PBK, and regraft from 1 week to 3 months postoperatively. In the corneal scar group, aqueous flare value was significantly higher from 1 week to 3 months when combined with cataract surgery. In the PBK group, the value was significantly higher from 1 week to 1 month and 6 months again when combined with AC-IOL exchange. Notably, significantly higher flare values were measured from 1 week to 6 months in eyes with later rejection. Conclusions. Preoperative diagnoses and additional implant surgeries influenced the aqueous flare counts at the early postoperative period. Persistently elevated flare value may be associated with later rejection.

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