Elevated intraocular pressure in the early postoperative period following excimer laser penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in the early postoperative period after excimer laser penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus and reveal potential associations with anterior segment parameters.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, interventional study consisted of 40 patients with keratoconus who were treated with excimer laser penetrating keratoplasty. Corneal pachymetry, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber volume, and anterior segment angle were measured by Scheimpflug camera preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively. IOP was obtained using Goldmann applanation tonometry. Student's t tests and Pearson correlation were applied. A P value of .05 or less was considered significant.

RESULTS: IOP increased from 16.3 ± 3.5 preoperatively to 19.3 ± 5.2 mm Hg postoperatively (P = .007). Significant differences were detected in corneal pachymetry (P < .008), anterior chamber depth (P < .001), and anterior chamber volume (P = .03). Postoperative IOP was significantly correlated with anterior segment angle, anterior chamber depth, and corneal pachymetry.

CONCLUSION: Elevated IOP in the early postoperative period after excimer laser penetrating keratoplasty is significantly correlated with changes in the anterior chamber architecture.