Posters

Indicational and topographic outcome of full thickness keratoplasty in patients from Arabian peninsula

Poster Details

First Author: N.Al Kharusi OMAN

Co Author(s):    U. Wali   S. Bani Oraba           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

visual impairment due to corneal pathologies is a common finding in people from Arabian Peninsula. These patients have varying etiologies for visual impairment. Corneal scarring is the most common indication in patients aged fifty and above due to widespread prevalence of trachoma till seventies , while corneal ectasias being the most important cause in young population. The extent and severity of corneal pathology is a strong indication for full thickness keratoplasty. This study highlights the significance of this procedure in restoring visual acuity in this wide range of population, improving their life style, work outcome and economy.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology. Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muscat Oman. A tertiary care hospital.

Methods:

A retrospective study of thirteen patients (thirteen eyes) who underwent penetrating keratoplasties for varying indications. These include: pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (3), Trachomatous scarring (1), post-Lasik ectasia (1), keratoconus (7) and stromal dystrophy (1). Age ranged from 20 to 63 years. Patients’ with co-morbidities like pterygium, prior extracapsular cataract surgeries were not included in this study. All patients’ had one year follow up and outcome of baseline visual acuity and topography was compared at the end of one year. All patients had, wherever possible, orbscan / Topography and autorefraction done before and after surgery.

Results:

At the end of one year follow up we obtained encouraging results: Visual acuity improved in 77%, deteriorated in 16% and remained same in 8% patients from the baseline; K readings improved in 31%, deteriorated in 23%, remained more or less same in 8% and were not obtainable in 39% (due to very dense scarring preoperatively and high astigmatism postoperatively); 31% patients showed improvement in both visual acuity and K readings, 8% had deterioration in both visual acuity and K readings and finally 8% were those in whom visual acuity improved despite deterioration in K readings from baseline.

Conclusions:

Penetrating Keratoplasty continues to be a time tested procedure for visual rehabilitation and improved quality of life in varied indications, and in all age groups. This study finds that patients of all age groups, with indications such as trachomatous scarring and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in old age group, ectasias and dystrophies in younger age group-can benefit in terms of visual improvement and quality of life. FINANCIAL DISCLOUSRE: NONE