Fusiform keratoplasty shows promising results for treating severe infectious keratitis
Fusiform penetrating keratoplasty (FPK) offers comparable visual outcomes to conventional penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for patients with severe infectious keratitis, while reducing the risk of certain postoperative complications, according to a study.
In the study, 14 eyes underwent FPK using multiple trephines of varying sizes, while 15 eyes received conventional PK. Outcomes measured included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive parameters, endothelial cell density, and postoperative complications.
The FPK group, followed for an average of 15.3 months, had similar BCVA outcomes to the PK group after 1 year, with no significant difference in visual acuity. However, FPK demonstrated lower mean curvature, mean astigmatism, and mean spherical equivalent compared to PK. Complications were notably fewer in the FPK group: only one case of peripheral anterior synechia compared to 6 in the PK group. In addition, suture loosening and neovascularization occurred more frequently in the PK group. No cases of graft rejection or increased intraocular pressure were observed in either group.
Reference
Qi XL, Wang LC, Wang ML, Gao H. A surgical alternative of fusiform penetrating keratoplasty for the management of severe infectious keratitis. Int J Ophthalmol. 2024;17(8):1431-1436. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2024.08.07. PMID: 39156785; PMCID: PMC11286445.
