保存角膜与新鲜角膜行大植片穿透角膜移植的临床研究

目的:比较用保存和新鲜的角膜植片行大植片穿透性角膜移植术后的临床疗效和并发症。方法:回顾性分析2003-12/2006-12我院收治的角膜严重病变并须行大植片穿透角膜移植的患者108例(116眼),其中用保存角膜植片移植治疗63眼,用新鲜角膜植片移植治疗53眼。比较两组术后的视力改变、角膜植片及并发症情况。结果:保存角膜植片移植组的视力提高44眼(69.8%),稳定10眼(15.9%),下降9眼(14.3%),植片排斥反应8眼(12.7%);新鲜角膜移植组的视力提高24眼(45.3%),稳定17眼(32.1%),下降12眼(22.6%),植片排斥反应15眼(28.3%)。两组术后的视力和植片排斥反应率均有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论:大植片穿透性角膜移植时,保存的植片较新鲜植片能降低移植术后的免疫排斥发生率,延长植片的存活时间。     

穿透性角膜移植术临床分析

目的 探讨穿透性角膜移植的主要病因、疗效和并发症.方法 对96例(97只眼)穿透性角膜移植进行回顾性研究,随访0.5～5年.结果 (1)病因:角膜白斑41只眼(42.3%),单纯疱疹病毒性角膜炎28只眼(28.9%),角膜溃疡16只眼(16.7%),圆锥角膜4只限(4.1%),大泡性角膜病变8只眼(8.2%).(2)疗效:角膜植片透明81只眼(83.5%),视力0.05以下7只眼(7.2%),0.05～0.2者53只眼(54.6%),0.3～0.5者28只眼(28.9%),0.5以上者9只眼(9.3%).(3)并发症:主要为角膜免疫排斥反应(8只眼)和继发性青光眼(4只眼).结论 穿透性角膜移植术是治疗角膜致盲性眼病的有效方法.     

角膜移植治疗中重度眼化学伤并发症的疗效分析

目的对比评价不同术式角膜移植治疗中、重度眼化学烧伤并发症和后遗症的疗效。方法收集我院1993年2月至2005年2月手术治疗的中、重度化学眼烧伤27例34眼,分别行全角膜板层移植术11眼,带巩膜环全角膜板层移植术4眼及部分穿透性角膜移植术19眼。随访6～24个月。术后观察角膜植片愈合情况、排斥反应的发生、角膜植片透明度、新生血管、视力及术后并发症,并对出现情况给予相应处理。结果术后视力提高者25眼（73.5%）,视力不变者9眼（26.5%）。9眼植片透明,24眼半透明,1眼混浊。术后并发症有排斥反应15眼（44.1%）,继发性青光眼3眼（8.8%）,角膜新生血管34眼（100%）,假性胬肉复发12眼（35.3%）,感染1眼,层间积血3眼。结论角膜移植术是治疗中、重度眼化学烧伤并发症的有效方法。针对不同眼部病变选用不同术式可提高手术成功率。术前或术中眼部基本条件的改善对角膜移植术的成功至关重要。带巩膜环全角膜板层移植术对于伴有假性胬肉,且不伴有角膜穿孔的中、重度眼化学烧伤并发症是一种有效的治疗方法,优于全角膜板层移植术。部分穿透性角膜移植术对于单纯性角膜白斑、角膜穿孔者疗效较好。     

外伤眼穿透性角膜移植玻璃体视网膜联合手术

目的评价眼外伤患者穿透性角膜移植玻璃体视网膜联合手术的疗效。方法回顾性分析自2002年3月~2004年8月间在我院接受眼外伤后联合穿透性角膜移植的玻璃体视网膜手术20例(20眼),观察术后视力、角膜植片、视网膜脱离的复位情况和手术并发症。结果术后随访6月~3年,平均12±5.8月。末次随访期9眼(45.00%)视力优于术前。10眼(50.00%)角膜移植片保持透明,1眼(5.00%)角膜移植片发生严重的排斥反应,8眼(40.00%)角膜移植片出现浑浊水肿。3眼(15.00%)原视网膜脱离者术后再次出现视网膜脱离,其中1眼接受第二次玻璃体手术后视网膜复位。眼球萎缩2眼(10.00%)。结论临时性人工角膜下玻璃体手术联合穿透性角膜移植术治疗合并角膜病变的视网膜玻璃体病变效果明显,恢复时间短。术前患眼的情况、前后段眼科医师手术技巧的熟练和配合程度是手术成功的关键。     

儿童穿透性角膜移植手术的临床观察

目的探讨儿童穿透性角膜移植手术的疗效.方法对在2003年4月～2004年9月于我院行穿透性角膜移植手术的儿童角膜盲连续病例29例(29眼)进行回顾性分析.结果术后23眼中12眼(52.17%)视力达0.05以上.29眼中19眼(65.52%)角膜保持透明,其中,圆锥角膜及先天性角膜内皮营养不良所有病例植片透明;6眼外伤性角膜瘢痕中5眼植片透明,1眼发生排斥;先天性角膜混浊6眼中4眼排斥;角膜溃疡3眼中2眼排斥;角膜带状变性2眼中1眼排斥;碱性化学伤2眼均排斥.29眼中8眼(27.6%)发生包括虹膜前后粘连、白内障、青光眼等并发症.结论不同原因造成的儿童角膜盲施行穿透性角膜移植手术的成功率不同.早期的手术干预、并发症的预防以及术后的强化弱视治疗是影响儿童穿透性角膜移植术疗效的重要因素.     

大泡性角膜病变14例的手术治疗

目的:研究穿透性角膜移植术(PKP)在大泡性角膜病变治疗中的作用,并发症及处理方法。方法:对14眼大泡性角膜病变施行PKP术,随访6～12mo,对并发症给予全身和局部治疗。结果:术后视力明显高于术前,差异有显著性,P <0.01。观察6～12(平均8)mo,角膜植片透明13眼(93%),半透明植片1眼(7%),1眼发生排斥反应,1眼出现继发性青光眼。结论:PKP术是治疗大泡性角膜病变的理想方法。     

穿透性角膜移植50例的临床研究

目的:探讨穿透性角膜移植的疗效和相关并发症。方法:对50例(50眼)穿透性角膜移植进行回顾性分析。结果:统计分析表明:角膜植片透明者45例(90%),视力≤0.04者6例(12%),0.05～0.2者27例(54%),≥0.3者17例(34%)。主要并发症:角膜植片免疫排斥反应6例(12%),继发性青光眼4例(8%)。结论:穿透性角膜移植是提高角膜盲视力的有效手段,应重视防治术后免疫排斥反应。     

高危角膜病变行大植片角膜移植疗效分析

目的探讨高危角膜移植病例在行大直径角膜移植手术后的安全性和有效性.方法对高危角膜移植病例19例(19眼)采用＞9mm的大直径角膜植片的角膜穿透性移植术治疗角膜病1 9例(19眼),并与非高危角膜移植组25例(25眼)进行对照.结果两组比较,裸眼视力≥0.5者大植片组有11眼(占57.9%),小植片组有10眼(占40.0%)可以看出大植片组视力恢复优于小植片组角膜移植病例(P＜0.05).在手术后12个月时大植片组较小植片组角膜散光的发生比较低(P＜0.05).本文观察结果大角膜植片排斥反应的治疗并不因植片大而更困难.结论治疗角膜病变范围较大的高危角膜病患者,采用＞9mm直径的角膜植片行角膜移植的手术方法是安全可行的.     

穿透性角膜移植与白内障摘出人工晶状体植人联合手术临床探讨

目的对以往放弃治疗的粘连性角膜白斑合并白内障的患者施行穿透性角膜移植、白内障摘出及人工晶状体植入三联手术以挽救视力.方法对11例(11眼)伴有严重粘连性角膜白斑的白内障患者施行三联手术,随访10～36个月,观察视力情况、是否有排斥反应及其发生时间.结果 11眼中有7眼获得有用视力(68%),角膜植片透明7眼(68%),毕透明2眼(16%),混浊2眼(16%).结论该三联手术效果较理想,值得在临床推广,但对植入前房型人工晶状体需谨慎.     

穿透性角膜移植术治疗坏死性基质角膜炎23例

目的:探讨穿透性角膜移植术(penetratingkeratoplasty,PKP)治疗坏死性基质角膜炎(necrotizingstromalkeratitis)的手术适应证及其临床效果。方法:按照Holland等的HSK新分类法,选择确诊坏死性基质角膜炎患者,予以局部及全身药物治疗。对病情不能控制,药物治疗无效的患者22例(23眼),其中角膜溶解穿孔3眼,用新鲜角膜组织行穿透性角膜移植术,并随访观察术后疗效。结果:随访3mo～3a,22例(23眼)中,术后视力提高者18眼,其中矫正视力达到0.1～0.5者12眼,0.05～0.1者6眼;无改善者5眼。角膜植片透明17眼,半透明2眼,植片混浊4眼,植片透明率为74%。术后3眼植片发生排斥反应,3眼原发病灶复发。2眼术后因排斥反应及原发病灶反复发作,植片完全混浊,行2次角膜移植术。结论:对坏死性基质角膜炎患者,药物保守治疗无效、角膜坏死穿孔或行将穿孔,及时用新鲜角膜组织行穿透性角膜移植术治疗,不仅能控制炎症,缩短病程,而且能保存眼球,恢复部分视力,因此具有重要临床应用价值。     

穿透性角膜移植排斥反应的临床分析

目的探讨导致穿透性角膜移植术后排斥反应的高危病种及危险因素。方法对86例90眼穿透性角膜移植患者术后排斥反应发生率进行回顾性分析。结果各病种排斥反应发生率不同，角膜溃疡为42．86％(9／21)；粘连性角膜白斑为39．13％(9／23)；单纯性角膜白斑为28．57％(8／28)；角膜变性或营养不良为11．11％(1／9)；先天性角膜白斑为100．00％(1／1)；圆锥角膜5眼及大泡性角膜病变3眼无排斥反应发生。术前角膜新生血管形成、虹膜前粘连、术前高眼压、术后高眼压、无晶状体状态、术式增多、大植片使排斥反应发生率增高。结论高危病种有角膜溃疡、粘连性角膜白斑、单疱病毒性角膜炎及化学伤导致的单纯性角膜白斑。术前角膜新生血管形成，虹膜前粘连，术前、术后高眼压，无晶状体，多术式联合，大植片是排斥反应发生的危险因素。     

Monitoring the appositions of posterior graft–host junctions with anterior segment optical coherence tomogram after penetrating keratoplasty

This study aimed to monitor the graft–host junction’s (GHJ’s) apposition with anterior segment optical coherence tomogram after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and correlate the analysis with the preoperative diagnosis. Fifty-one eyes of 50 patients with various preoperative diagnosis of adherent leucoma, pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, corneal opacity or scarring, graft failure, corneal dystrophy and anterior staphyloma, who underwent PK for optical purposes were reviewed retrospectively. Based on the age, the patients were divided into groups 1 and II: those aged ≤40 and >40 years, respectively. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography was done for all these eyes to evaluate the posterior graft–host junction. All graft–host junction patterns were classified as well apposed, and malapposed with various components like hill, gap, step and tag. The comparisons of various clinical parameters were done for the various malapposed junction groups (hill, gap, step and tag). A total of 408 graft–host junction cross sections of 51 eyes were analysed. Amongst them 70 (17.15 %) sections were well apposed, and 338 (82.84 %) were malapposed. Most frequent type of malapposition was hill: 164 sections (40.19 %) followed by step: 139 sections (34.06 %). The distribution of graft–host junction alignment patterns varied amongst all the indications. Patients with preoperative diagnosis of adherent leucoma and corneal dystrophy had predominantly steps pattern in 65 (40.62 %) and 12 (75 %) sections, respectively. Hill pattern was seen predominantly in PBK, corneal opacity, graft failure and anterior staphyloma in 55 (42.96 %), 16 (40 %), 22 (45.83 %) and 8 (50 %) sections, respectively. Comparisons of various clinical characteristics like intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, best-corrected visual acuity, astigmatism and size of graft with the various malapposed patterns showed significant differences in best-corrected visual acuity and keratometric astigmatism in the hill pattern of malapposition group with p values of .004 and .053, respectively, using independent T test. Posterior graft–host junction analysis with anterior segment optical coherence tomography is very important for post penetrating keratoplasty management. The posterior wound profile differed according to the indications of penetrating keratoplasty. Best-corrected visual acuity and keratometric astigmatism showed significant difference with the malapposition hill (pattern).     

角膜缘上皮移植联合穿透性角膜移植治疗陈旧性眼化学伤与热烧伤

目的:通过角膜缘上皮移植,改善化学伤与热烧伤穿透性角膜移植片的预后。方法:严重陈旧性眼化学伤与热烧伤26例28眼,12眼施行角膜缘移植联合部分穿透性角膜移植术,与16眼单纯施行部分穿透性角膜移植术作对照。结果:联合手术组,追踪5～28个月,植片透明率75％,9眼有效地阻止了植片新生血管和假性胬肉的复发,排斥反应发生率33.3％。对照组角膜植片血管新生较多,植片透明率为25％,持续性角膜上皮缺损发生率为50％,排斥反应发生率50％。结论:对严重陈旧性眼部化学伤与热烧伤,施行角膜缘移植联合部分穿透性角膜移植术,有预防术后合并症和改善植片预后的作用。眼科学报1997;13:213—216。     

Clinical aspects and treatment of immune reactions following penetrating normal-risk keratoplasty

PURPOSE: Endothelial graft rejection is one of the most common causes of graft failure following penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, time course and outcome of treatment of graft rejection after normal-risk PK and to identify possible risk factors for the recurrence of immune reactions and irreversible graft failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 500 eyes from the prospective Erlanger Normal-risk Keratoplasty Study with a mean follow-up of 42 +/- 18 (median 40) months. Indications for PK were keratoconus in 48 %, Fuchs' dystrophy in 30 %, secondary bullous keratopathy in 11 %, non-vascularized corneal scars in 7 % and stromal dystrophies in 4 %. Standardized complete ophthalmological examinations were performed on a regular basis before, during the acute graft rejection and then regularly in a defined examination raster in an cornea out-patient service. RESULTS: During follow-up 29 eyes (5.6 %) developed an episode of endothelial graft rejection (23 eyes with acute diffuse and 6 eyes with chronic focal rejection type). Episodes of endothelial graft rejection clustered between 11 and 25 months postoperatively (15 from 29, 51.7 %). Most grafts (25 of 29) regained clarity after topical and systemic steroid treatment. Only 4 patients showed an irreversible graft failure requiring a repeat PK, all of whom had secondary bullous keratopathy as the primary indication for PK. Risk factors for irreversible graft failure were pre-existing anterior synechiae in 3 patients and secondary open angle glaucoma in pseudoexfoliation syndrome in one patient. Recurrence of graft rejection was seen in 5 patients (all with keratoconus) after a time interval of 8 to 12 months. Under very low topical steroid treatment no further recurrence was observed in all 5 patients up to 2 years. CONCLUSION: Patients should be followed-up on a regular base for longer postoperative periods, since most episodes of graft rejection were observed between 1 and 2 years after PK. Development of irreversible graft failure was strongly associated with pre-existing anterior synechiae and pre-existing glaucoma. Low-dose topical steroid treatment after immunological rejection seems to prevent the recurrence of further graft rejection.     

Outcome of penetrating keratoplasty in rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND: Keratolysis in rheumatoid arthritis is a well-known disorder that may rapidly destroy the entire corneal stroma, resulting in descemetocele formation and eventually corneal perforation. The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomical and functional results of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts of patients having undergone PK over a 5-year period and evaluated the outcome. In 16 eyes of 15 patients, PKs were performed (graft diameter 3.0-11.0 mm) because of corneal melting with perforation or descemetocele formation. In 9 eyes, we used topical cyclosporine A (2%) as an adjunct therapy after transplantation in addition to systemic immunosuppressive agents. RESULTS: Following a mean follow-up time of 17 months, anatomical success could be achieved in all eyes; none of the eyes underwent enucleation or evisceration. Postoperative complications following the first PK were epithelial keratopathy in 8 eyes (50%), corneal ulceration in 5 eyes (31%), fistulation in 4 eyes (25%), suture loosing in 4 eyes (25%) and graft rejection in 2 eyes (13%). Additionally 5 regrafts were required because of recurrence of corneal melting or persistent deep stromal defects. Comparison of complications of the patients receiving topical cyclosporine A to the control group showed a statistically significant lower incidence of epithelial keratopathy (p < 0.025) and ulcer recurrence in the cyclosporine A group during the first 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.05). The final best corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in 4 eyes but was limited to 20/200 or less in 7 eyes. CONCLUSION: Whereas PK can be successful to restore the anatomical integrity of severely altered eyes, the high prevalence of complications limits the indication for PK as a last stage procedure when other methods of management have failed. The use of topical cyclosporine A as adjunct therapy needs further evaluation.     

Long-term outcome of topical cyclosporine treatment following penetrating keratoplasty]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of 2% topical cyclosporine A (CsA) treatment as an adjunct to topical corticosteroid in 86 eyes after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects were 86 eyes of 83 patients who had undergone PK and received topical CsA treatments. Ninety-seven eyes of 95 patients who had undergone PK and received similar postoperative treatments except for topical CsA treatments served as control: The clinical outcome of PK was evaluated by rates of graft survival and rejection-free graft survival using Kaplan-Meier's method and compared with the log-rank test. The patients were subdivided into high-risk and low-risk groups. The high-risk patients were those who had corneal vascularization in 2 or more quadrants of the cornea preoperatively or who received regrafting. All other patients were assigned to the low-risk group. Thirty-six eyes of the CsA group and 50 eyes of the control group were high-risk cases. RESULTS: In the high-risk patients, the rejection-free graft survival rate was 69.7% in the CsA group and 45.4% in the control group (p = 0.030). However, there was no significant difference in the graft survival rate between the two groups. In the low-risk patients, there was no significant difference in the rates of rejection-free graft survival and graft survival between the CsA and the control group. CONCLUSION: 2% topical cyclosporine is effective in reducing the risk of allograft rejection in high-risk recipients.     

Interim results from the prospective "Erlanger Non-high-risk Penetrating Keratoplasty Study" in 207 patients

BACKGROUND: Immunologic graft rejection targeted against corneal endothelium is the most frequent cause for graft failure after corneal transplantation. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the frequency, early symptoms, prophylaxis and therapy monitoring of corneal graft rejection following non-high-risk penetrating keratoplasty (PK). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 1997 to May 1999, 237 patients undergoing non-high-risk PK have been enrolled in this prospective study. We evaluated 207 patients (103 female, 113 right eyes, recipient age 54 +/- 20 years, donor age 59 +/- 17 years). In 2 randomized treatment studies we compared the efficacy of postoperative short-term (ST = 6 months) versus long-term (LT = 12 months) topical steroid therapy on the incidence of graft rejection and the effect of high- versus low-dose systemic steroid therapy on the prognosis after a graft rejection. Follow-up examinations included, laser-tyndallometry, corneal topography analysis, endothelial cell count and pachymetry. RESULTS: The main indications for PK were keratoconus (n = 93), endothelial dystrophy Fuchs (n = 52) and bullous keratopathy (n = 35). In 151 (73%) patients, non mechanical trephination with the 193 nm Excimer laser was performed. Up to now, 78 patients were randomized into two groups comparing the postoperative therapy with topical steroids. During follow-up (median: ST: 13.5 months; LT: 12.5 months, maximum 25.3 months) episodes of endothelial graft rejection (3 chronic focal, 8 acute diffuse) showed 11 eyes of 11 patients. Five patients each had short-term and long-term topical steroid treatment. In 1 patient the graft rejection occurred before randomization at 6 months. Six patients with graft rejection episodes underwent a PK only (54% of graft rejections, 4.4% of all patients). In the remaining 5 patients, PK was combined with a lens surgery (46% of graft rejections, 6.9% of all patients). Ten of 11 corneal grafts regained their full function under treatment with systemic and local steroids. CONCLUSION: The frequency of episodes of graft rejection in our study was lower than usually reported in the literature. A good compliance of patients appears to be a major factor for improved prognosis of the graft after PK and in case of graft rejection. Until now no significant differences between short-term or long-term postoperative topical steroid therapy could be detected regarding the incidence of corneal graft rejection.     

角膜白斑患者瞳孔再造术的疗效观察

探讨瞳孔再造术治疗角膜白斑的临床效果。方法17例（17只眼）角膜白斑患者行瞳孔再造术,患者角膜白斑直径为4-9 mm,视力均0．02以下,年龄30-78岁,机械性或化学性外伤致角膜白斑形成11例,角膜炎致角膜白斑形成6例。比较手术前后视力提高的程度,进行临床疗效观察。结果本研究结果中,术后视力0．5以上者3例（17．76％）,0．1-0．5者13例（76．47％）,0．01-0．1者1例（5．88％）。结论瞳孔再造术术后视力较术前明显提高。术后并发症少,手术方法简便,费用低,便于推广。     

Results of Therapeutic Penetrating Keratoplasty

Purpose By a retrospective study of patients in the Ankara Hospital Eye Clinic, to determine the anatomical and visual results of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and its role in the management of corneal disease.Methods Therapeutic PK was performed in 36 patients (37 eyes) who had corneal perforation due to corneal disease (23 eyes) or eyes in which perforation was imminent (14 eyes). Initial indications for grafting were nonperforated descemetocele without inflammation (six eyes, 16.2%); nonperforated bacterial corneal ulcer (five eyes, 13.5%); nonperforated herpetic keratitis with active stromal inflammation (two eyes, 5.4%); acanthamoeba keratitis (one eye, 2.7%); perforation due to herpetic keratitis (13 eyes, 35.2%); perforation due to persistent epithelial defect (8 eyes, 21.6%); or perforation due to bacterial corneal ulcer (two eyes; 5.4%). The results were evaluated for each of the following criteria: anatomical integrity of the eye, cure of the disease, complications, graft clarity, and visual acuity.Results Anatomical integrity was achieved in 21 of the 23 eyes (91.3%) perforated from corneal disease. Therapeutic PK cured the disease in all bacterial keratitis cases. The proportion of clear grafts was 60.9% in the 23 eyes perforated from corneal disease, and 57.1% in the 14 eyes in which perforation was imminent. Fifteen eyes (40.5%) obtained a final visual acuity of 20/100 or better; five of these eyes were not yet perforated before the PK.Conclusions Therapeutic PK is effective in the management of the eye with active uncontrolled infection or perforation from corneal disease. Approximately half of our patients maintained a clear graft at the last visit. Without therapeutic surgery, these eyes would have been lost. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2004;48:368–371 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2004     

Visual rehabilitation and intraocular pressure elevation due to immunological graft rejection following penetrating keratoplasty

PURPOSE: Endothelial graft rejection and intraocular pressure elevation are the most common causes of graft failure following penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Aim of this study was to evaluate the visual rehabilitation and the development of intraocular pressure during and after graft rejection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 20 eyes of 20 patients (age 54.7 +/- 19.8 years) with endothelial graft rejection, that fulfilled the following inclusion criteria 1) graft rejection was diagnosed and treated in our department; 2) at least one year follow-up after graft rejection; 3) avascular corneal pathology. The mean follow-up was 23 +/- 14 months. According to the type of surgical procedure patients were classified in PK only (n = 15, one after cataract extraction), PK combined with extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (n = 1); PK combined with secondary IOL-implantation or IOL-exchange (n = 4). Standardized complete ophthalmological examinations were performed on a regular basis before, during the acute graft rejection und then regularly in a defined examination raster in an out-patient service with cornea specialization. RESULTS: The time interval between first symptom of 18 acute diffuse and 2 chronic focal graft rejection and start of treatment was 9 +/- 13 days. Best-corrected visual acuity (CVA) was 0.6 +/- 0.2 before graft rejection and decreased significantly at the time of diagnosis (0.2 +/- 0.2; p = 0.001). Six weeks after graft rejection CVA was 0.5 +/- 0.2 and remained almost stable until one year after rejection (0.6 +/- 0.3) in 16 patients with reversible graft rejection. Only 4 patients (20%) showed an irreversible graft failure requiring Re-PK. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was not elevated in 75% of the patients (n = 15) and did not need any antiglaucomatous treatment during and after the rejection phase. In 5 eyes (25%) (3 after PK combined with anterior chamber IOL-explantation and secondary posterior chamber IOL-implantation; 1 with secondary pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and 1 steroidal responder) IOP was elevated during graft rejection (26 +/- 7 mmHg), but was controlled by intensive topical antiglaucomatous treatment. CONCLUSION: Typically, the visual rehabilitation after graft rejection was good if the clinical signs were diagnosed just in time and treated adequately. There is no direct correlation between graft rejection and intraocular pressure elevation. However, the development of intraocular pressure elevation seems to be strongly associated with preexisting glaucoma, preexisting anterior synechiae and/or simultaneous anterior chamber lens implant removal. A careful patient management after PK plays an important role to prevent the development of irreversible graft failure due to graft rejection.