Changes in Anterior Segment Parameters after Penetrating Keratoplasty for Keratoconus

Aim: To evaluate the influence of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for keratoconus, on corneal curvatures and the anterior segment parameters obtained with the Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera.

Place and Duratıon of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, between May 2013 and March 2016.

Methods: Medical records of 38 eyes of 38 patients who underwent PK for keratoconus were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively one month after suture removal (13 months) with Pentacam. We compared measurements of anterior and posterior corneal curvatures, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber angle (ACA) and central corneal thickness. Paired t-test was used for comparison.

Results: Mean anterior keratometry (Km) reading of cornea decreased significantly from 67.73±14.91 diopter (D) before surgery to 40.40±8.74 D at 13 months (P=0.0001). Posterior mean K reading of the cornea decreased significantly from -10.82±2.77 D preoperatively to -5.72±1.65 D at 13 months (P=0.0001). ACD, ACV and ACA decreased significantly following PK surgery.

Conclusion: PK significantly decreased corneal curvatures and ACD, ACV, ACA, resulting in a hyperopic shift. This observation should be taken into consideration when performing a Triple procedure.