Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Corneal blindness is one of the most challenging public health problems all over the world. The present study was conducted to assess visual outcome in patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty. Materials & Methods: 102 patients selected for penetrating keratoplasty of both genders underwent visual acuity test taken in Snellen’s chart and converted to log MAR units to provide a common scale for analysis. Full thickness PK was done by corneal surgeons. All patients were examined and treated postoperatively and complications were recorded. Results: Visual acuity 1-0.5 had 0 pre-operatively and 4 post- operatively, 0.3-0.16 had 0 pre-operatively and 45 post- operatively, 0.1-0.016 had 50 pre-operatively and 26 post- operatively and CT to PL had 52 pre-operatively and 27 post- operatively. Common pathologies were optical PK such as leucomatous opacity in 24, chemical injury in 10, graft rejection in 5, adherant leucoma in 6 and bullous keratopathy in 7 cases. Therapeutic PK had corneal ulcer in 26, keratomalacia in 14 and anterior staphyloma in 10 cases. The common complications were epithelial defect in 4, wound leak in 1, raised OP in 6, mild AC reaction in 2 and rejection in 5 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Penetrating keratoplasty found to be better treatment options for patients with corneal blindness.