KERATOPHAKIA - CLINICAL-EVALUATION

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 88  (11) , 1141-1150
Abstract
The keratophakia and keratomileusis procedures of Barraquer for the correction of aphakia did not gain acceptance in the USA because of their inherent complexity and degree of difficulty. To determine the practicality, feasibility and visual rehabilitation potential of these procedures, 13 secondary keratophakia operations were performed at a 500-bed community hospital between March 1980 and April 1981. The first 10 cases reportedly allow 6-12 mo. follow-up. All patients in the series were resistant to contact lenses or were poor cadidates for secondary intraocular lens implantation. The anatomic results were excellent. Complications were minimal, consisting of surface drying problems in 3 patients related to the sudden steepening of the cornea or pseudokeratoconus effect. Patients (7) achieved 20/30-20/40 vision with minimal spectacle correction. The keratophakia procedure of Barraquer shows promise and can be duplicated by experienced corneal surgeons, but is not yet a viable alternative to the use of primary intraocular lenses and continuous wear lenses for the general ophthalmologist.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: