Lwwus_ijg_201172 1.7
Risk Factors and Incidence of Ocular Hypertension After
Penetrating Keratoplasty
Faik Oruc¸oglu, MD,* Eytan Z. Blumenthal, MD,w Joseph Frucht-Pery, MD,w
and Abraham Solomon, MDw
which surgeons face after corneal transplantation surgery.
Purpose: Ocular hypertension is a potentially serious complication
Since computerized visual field examination and optic nerve
after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Our objective is to determine
visualization are often limited by corneal graft clarity and
the risk factors, incidence, patient characteristics, response to
high refractive errors, the damage to the optic nerve is often
pressure-lowering medical therapy, and graft outcome associated
difficult to assess in postkeratoplasty eyes. Pressure is also
with elevation of intraocular pressure after PKP.
occasionally difficult to measure accurately. As evidence of
Methods: One hundred forty-six consecutive eyes that had PKP
optic nerve damage after keratoplasty is difficult to ascer-
between June 2001 and June 2003 were operated and managed at
tain, the term "ocular hypertension" may be more appro-
Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. Chart review was
priate than "glaucoma" in this context.
performed seeking preoperative and postoperative data on risk
The reported incidence of ocular hypertension after
factors for ocular hypertension after PKP. Univariate and logistic
PKP is highly variable, and ranges between 11% and
regression analysis were performed to identify significant risk
This incidence was associated with several risk
factors. These include the indication for keratoplasty, the
Results: After surgery, 70 eyes (47.9%) had at least 1 period of
status of the lens, additional procedures at the time of
ocular hypertension, with a mean intraocular pressure (IOP) of
keratoplasty, and preexisting glaucoma, as major risk fac-
27.15 ± 5.66 mm Hg. Ocular hypertension appeared after a mean
tors.The majority of these studies used basic statistical
postoperative period of 70.3 ± 15.8 days, and continued for an
tools such as univariate analysis to identify risk factors. In
average period of 15.6 ± 2.0 days. In 35 eyes (23.9%), a second
addition—the distribution and time span of ocular hyper-
episode of IOP elevation was noted 212.2 ± 46.8 days after thesurgery. Logistic regression analysis revealed that preexisting
tension after surgery were not reported.
glaucoma (P = 0.009) and an additional surgical procedure com-
This study presents the demographics, incidence, dis-
bined with PKP (P = 0.007) were the main factors predicting
tribution and risk factors of postkeratoplasty ocular
ocular hypertension after PKP. In 11 eyes (7.53%) the topical
hypertension in a large cohort of patients in a single uni-
pressure-lowering therapy failed, and they required glaucoma
versity medical center, using multivariate analysis to
filtering surgery.
identify major risk factors leading to ocular hypertension
Conclusions: The incidence of ocular hypertension after PKP is
high, and at least 1 episode of high IOP was noted in almost half ofour patients. A history of preexisting glaucoma and an additionalsurgical procedure combined with PKP were found to be significant
PATIENTS AND METHODS
factors predicting the occurrence of ocular hypertension.
The hospital charts of all patients who underwent PKP
at the Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University
Key Words: ocular hypertension, intraocular pressure, penetrating
Medical Center, between June 2001 and May 2003 were
reviewed. Medical charts were retrieved from the Medical
(J Glaucoma 2013;00:000–000)
Archives Department according to diagnosis codes thatwere assigned to summary letters after discharge. Infor-mation was further obtained from the operating room
logbook, and cross-checked with the data from the Medical
cular hypertension is a potentially serious complica-
Archives Department. During this period a total of 174
tion after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). High
PKP procedures were performed. Of these, 28 patients were
intraocular pressure (IOP) may cause increased loss of
excluded because of incomplete documentation, or lack of
corneal endothelial cells and graft failure,and can lead to
sufficient follow-up. Therefore, 146 patients met the above
irreversible optic nerve The high incidence, diffi-
criteria and were included in this study. All patients signed
culties in diagnosing in proper monitoring, and the complex
an informed consent form before surgery.
management of cases with refractory glaucoma, have
The following data were collected for each patient:
turned postkeratoplasty glaucoma into a major problem
Age, sex, visual acuity, the presence of glaucoma beforesurgery, the number of pressure-lowering medications usedbefore surgery, diagnosis underlying the need for corneal
Received for publication March 12, 2012; accepted November 5, 2012.
transplantation, previous ocular surgeries, preoperative
From the *Kudret Eye Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; and wDepartment
IOP, preoperative lens status, graft and host trephination
of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center,Jerusalem, Israel.
diameters, suturing method, additional procedures per-
Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
formed at the time of PKP, the dosage and duration of
Reprints: Faik Oruc¸oglu, MD, Kudret Eye Hospital, P.O. Box 34418,
topical and systemic corticosteroids administered after
Istanbul, Turkey (e-mail:
surgery, time to postoperative epithelialization, intra-
Copyright r 2013 by Lippincott Williams & WilkinsDOI: 10.1097/IJG.0b013e31828700f5
operative and postoperative complications, duration and
J Glaucoma Volume 00, Number 00, '' 2013
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
J Glaucoma Volume 00, Number 00, '' 2013
timing of postoperative ocular hypertensive events, numberof pressure-lowering medications which were used after
TABLE 1. Patient Baseline Data
surgery, and further surgical procedures. Uncorrected and
Patient Characteristics
best spectacle corrected visual acuity were measured by a
Snellen acuity chart before surgery and at each post-
operative visit. All Snellen visual acuity measurements were
converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution
(logMAR) to allow statistical analysis.
Surgical Procedure
PKP trephination of the recipient bed was performed
using a Barron vacuum trephine. Donor buttons were
prepared 0.25 or 0.50 mm (in cases of aphakia) larger than
Preoperative visual acuity (logMAR)
the recipient bed, using a Barron vacuum trephine, and
were cut from the endothelial side. The donor cornea was
first anchored to the host bed by 4 cardinal 10-0 nylon
Preoperative IOP (mm Hg)
sutures, and by then sutured with either running or inter-
rupted sutures.
Preexisting glaucoma
Excised buttons were sent to histologic evaluation and
No. antiglaucoma medications;
donor rims to microbiological evaluation. Gentamicin and
cefazolin were injected subconjunctivaly at the end of
surgery. Topical corticosteroids, antibiotics, and systemic
corticosteroids were administered after surgery, at the dis-
IOP indicates intraocular pressure.
cretion of the surgeons. Most patients received systemiccorticosteroids until epithelialization of the corneal graftwas complete. Topical corticosteroids were started at a doseof 6 to 8 times daily for the first 2 to 4 postoperative weeksand thereafter tapered down over the next 3 months to a
Before surgery, the mean IOP was 13.2 ± 3.7 mm Hg
frequency of 3 to 4 times daily, and maintained at this
(range, 5 to 26 mm Hg). Most glaucoma patients were
dosing during the first year. Thereafter, tapered to a
controlled with medical or surgical treatment before sur-
frequency of 1 to 2 times daily.
gery, and only 6 (4.1%) eyes had an IOP >20 mm Hgduring the preoperative examination. Thirty-three eyes
(22.6%) had a history of glaucoma and/or had used pres-sure-lowering medications. Of these 33 eyes, 23 eyes
Postoperative elevation of IOP was the primary out-
(69.7%) used 1 pressure-lowering medication, 7 eyes
come in this study. Ocular hypertension was defined as IOP
(21.2%) needed 2 medications, and 3 eyes (9.1%) needed
of 21 mm Hg or higher as measured with a Goldmann
3 pressure-lowering medications in the period preceding
tonometer. IOP was measured postoperatively daily for 1
the surgery. Eight patients had previously undergone
week, weekly for the first postoperative month, and then
monthly for 6 months and during each subsequent exami-
The indications for PKP are presented in
nation after surgery. The occurrence of postkeratoplasty
Surgical procedures before corneal transplantation
ocular hypertension was determined and associated with:
were performed in 70 (47.9%) eyes
age, sex, preoperative corneal diagnosis, previous ocular
The median recipient bed size was 8.0 ± 0.3 mm
surgery, preexisting glaucoma, graft size, donor oversize,
(range, 7.0 to 9.0 mm) and the donor button was oversized
suturing type, lens status, and any associated surgeries
by 0.25 mm in most of the patients (134 eyes, 92.4%).
combined with the PKP. The response to pressure-lowering
Interrupted sutures were used in 110 eyes (75.3%), and 4
medical therapy and graft outcome were also recorded.
interrupted sutures combined with a single continuous
Preoperative, surgical, and postoperative parameters
suture were used in 36 eyes (24.7%).
were analyzed with SPSS (version 13; SPSS Inc., Chicago,
In 21 (14.4%) patients, PKP was combined with an
IL). Independent risk factors for ocular hypertension after
additional procedure
PKP, were identified using univariate and multivariate
The mean preoperative best corrected visual acuity
analyses. w2 and independent samples t test were calculated
improved from 0.90 ± 0.78 logMAR units (Snellen equiv-
for the univariate analyses. Variables found to be sig-
alent 20/160; range, 0.18 to 3.00 logMAR units) to
nificant in the univariate analysis were included in a mul-
0.37 ± 0.51 logMAR units (Snellen equivalent 20/50; range,
tivariable logistic regression analysis with the presence of
0.0 to 3.00 logMAR units) at the final examination
ocular hypertension as the dependent variable. A P-value of
(P < 0.001). The mean postoperative best corrected visual
<0.05 was considered significant.
acuity and the mean preoperative best corrected visualacuity did not significantly differ for both postkeratoplasty
ocular hypertension patients (P = 0.328) and in patients
The mean age of the patients in this study was
who did not develop ocular hypertension (P = 0.792).
45 ± 20.8 years (range, 15 to 88 y). There were 71 (48.6%)
During a mean follow-up of 24.4 months, at least 1
men and 75 (51.4%) women. The mean postoperative fol-
consecutive period of high IOP (Z21 mm Hg) was docu-
low-up period was 24.4 ± 7.6 months (range, 12 to 42 mo).
mented in 70 eyes (47.7%) with a mean IOP of
Demographic data and preoperative parameters are shown
27.1 ± 5.6 mm Hg (range, 21 to 49 mm Hg), starting after a
mean postoperative period of 70.3 ± 15.8 days (1 to 720 d,
r 2013 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
J Glaucoma Volume 00, Number 00, '' 2013
Postkeratoplasty Ocular Hypertension
TABLE 2. Indications for Penetrating Keratoplasty
TABLE 4. Additional Surgical Procedures With PKP (n = 21 eyes)
Additional Procedure
Cataract extraction + IOL
Anterior vitrectomy + IOL exchange
Anterior vitrectomy
Anterior chamber IOL exchange
Anterior chamber IOL removal
IOL indicates intraocular lens; PKP, penetrating keratoplasty.
Corneal dystrophies
eyes. The mean IOP was 29.0 ± 6.7 mm Hg (range, 21 to
BK indicates bullous keratopathy; HSK, herpes simplex keratitis.
46 mm Hg) occurring 212.2 ± 46.8 days (range, 15 to 870 d)after the surgery Twenty-nine of them requirednew or additional pressure-lowering drugs. During thesecond period of ocular hypertension the IOP was nohigher compared with the first period (P = 0.403), but the
95.7% in 360 d) and lasting for a period of 15.6 ± 2.0 days
number of mean topical pressure-lowering drugs sig-
(1 to 90 d) Topical corticosteroids were used in 69
nificantly increased this time (P = 0.004). The mean dura-
eyes and oral corticosteroids in 13 eyes of these 70 patients
tion of the second period was 18.1 ± 2.9 days (range, 1 to
at the time of diagnosis of ocular hypertension. Topical
60 d). During the second period of ocular hypertension 30
corticosteroids were applied for 2 to 12 times a day (mean
eyes received topical corticosteroids with a mean dose of
6.0 ± 2.1 times daily), and oral prednisone was adminis-
4.6 ± 1.9 times a day (range, 2 to 10 times). Only 3 patients
tered at a dose of 20 to 100 mg (mean 60.0 ± 18.2 mg daily).
received oral corticosteroid treatment. Overall, 11 eyes did
Generally the topical corticosteroid was tapered down,
not respond to the topical pressure-lowering therapy, and
discontinued, or switched to a weaker one during the
all them required glaucoma filtering surgery to control the
treatment period.
During the periods of pressure elevation, patients who
Overall complications were observed in 30 eyes
had a history of preexisting glaucoma, when compared to
(20.5%) during the follow-up period. Corneal graft rejec-
patients without a history of preexisting glaucoma, tended
tion appeared in 10 eyes, graft failure in 13 eyes, delayed
to have a higher IOP (mean 29.7 ± 7.0 vs. 25.7 ± 4.2 mm
epithelialization in 8 eyes, microbial keratitis in 5 eyes, and
Hg, respectively, P = 0.02), earlier manifestation of ocular
recurrent herpes simplex keratitis in 2 eyes. Graft failure
hypertension (mean time 39.2 ± 57.4 vs. 87.6 ± 157.6 d,
occured after irreversible rejection episodes in 2 patients,
respectively, P = 0.014) and required a greater number of
infections in 2 patients, delayed epithelialization in 1
medications (number of medications: 1.5 ± 0.7 vs. 1.1 ±
patient, and herpes simplex keratitis in 1 patient. The mean
0.36, P = 0.001). The number of medications was increased
period to graft failure was 12.7 ± 9.5 months (range, 2 to
for patients with previous glaucoma (number of medi-
28.3 mo) after PKP. Nine of 13 failed grafts occurred in
cations: 1.5 ± 0.7 vs. 1.3 ± 0.6, P = 0.009).
patients who had at least 1 postoperative episode of ocular
A second episode of postoperative ocular hypertension
hypertension. However, this higher rate did not reach
after control of first episode was observed in 35 of these 70
statistical significance compared to graft failures in
TABLE 3. Previous Ocular Surgery (n = 70)
Cataract extraction
Trauma, perforation repair
Trabeculectomy + ECCE + PKP
Trabeculectomy + PKP
Trabeculectomy + ECCE
Stem cell transplantation + AMT
Days after keratoplasty
Vitrectomy + ECCE + PKP
Retina detachment repair + vitrectomy
Retina detachment repair + cataract surgery
Periods of ocular hypertension
FIGURE 1. The mean starting time and mean length of periodswith ocular hypertension after penetrating keratoplasty. Values
AMT indicates amniotic membrane transplantation; ECCE, extrac-
apsular cataract extraction; LKP, lamellar keratoplasty; PKP, penetrating
are mean ± SE in days after surgery. Start—mean time from sur-
keratoplasty; PRK, photorefractive keratectomy.
gery until ocular hypertension was first noted; Duration—meanduration of period with ocular hypertension.
r 2013 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
J Glaucoma Volume 00, Number 00, '' 2013
not found to be significant. For eyes that had a preexisting
TABLE 5. Logistic Regression Analysis of Risk Factors
glaucoma, no other significant risk factors were identified
for the development of raised IOP.
When the 70 eyes with postkeratoplasty ocular
hypertension were divided to early-onset ocular hyper-tension [up to 1 mo, n = 43 (29.5%)] and late-onset
Preexisting glaucoma
[ > 1 mo, n = 27 (18.5%)] no significant differences in the
risk factors was noted between these 2 groups (P val-
Previous ocular surgery
ues = 0.162 to 0.667).
Donor over size (mm)
Glaucoma is a serious complication after PKP. This
study evaluated the incidence and risk factors for post-
Additional procedures
keratoplasty ocular hypertension. Univariate analysis
identified risk factors significant for this condition, includ-
ing preexisting glaucoma, previous ocular surgery, donor
oversize of 0.5 mm, additional surgical procedures com-
bined with PKP, pseudophakia, and aphakia. Parameters
including age, sex, laterality, indication for PKP, graft size,and type of suturing were not significantly related to
Significant variables in the univariate analysis were included in the
postoperative IOP elevation in the univariate analysis.
logistic regression analysis.
Bold values indicate statistically significant.
Multivariate analysis further showed that preexisting
*Dependent variable: postkeratoplasty IOP elevation.
glaucoma and surgeries combined with PKP were the only
CI indicates confidence interval; IOP, intraocular pressure; OR, odds
2 significant risk factors found for the occurrence of ocular
hypertension after PKP.
The overall incidence of at least 1 consecutive period
of ocular hypertension after PKP in our study was 47.7%.
The reported incidence of glaucoma after PKP in previousreports ranges between 7.3% and 33.6%. Our higher inci-
nonhypertensive patients (P = 0.107), perhaps because of
dence may be because of higher incidence of preoperative
limited power in this study. Preexisting glaucoma also did
glaucoma in our patients (22.6%), the frequency of IOP
not show statistically significant effect on graft failure
measurements taken, and combined procedures with PKP
(P = 0.152).
Univariate analysis was performed to identify individ-
When patients with ocular hypertension in our study
ual risk factors for postkeratoplasty ocular hypertension. In
were subdivided according to the time of onset, the inci-
this analysis—age, sex, the indication for keratoplasty, the
dence was 29.5% in the early postoperative period
size of graft, and the type of suturing—were not found to be
(< 1 mo), and only 18.5% in the late (> 1 mo) postoperative
significant risk factors for postoperative ocular hypertension
period. Similarly, several studies have divided ocular
(w2 test, P values—0.07 to 0.579). In contrast, the following
hypertension into early and late onset and characterized the
factors were found to be significant risk factors affecting
incidence and risk factors for these 2 periods. Irvine and
Kaufmanfound that during the first postoperative week,
(P < 0.001), previous ocular surgery (P < 0.014), donor
the majority of their patients suffered from ocular hyper-
oversize of 0.50 mm (P < 0.01), additional surgical proce-
tension of Z25 mm Hg. Karesh and Nirankarinoted an
dures at the time of keratoplasty (P < 0.001), pseudophakia
incidence of early ocular hypertension in 31%, and chronic
or aphakia (P < 0.006; w2 test).
IOP elevation in 29% of 80 eyes after keratoplasty.
Risk factors identified by univariate analysis were sub-
Goldberg et aldocumented early and late ocular hyper-
jected to multivariate logistic regression analysis. Using mul-
tension in 23% and 35%, respectively, of eyes after
tivariate logistic regression analysis, only 2 risk factors were
found to be associated with postoperative ocular hyper-
tension: preexisting glaucoma [odds ratio (OR), 6.23; 95%
combined with PKP were the leading risk factors for ocular
confidence interval (CI),1.59-24.36; P = 0.009] and an addi-
hypertension, as identified in our study, using logistic
tional intraocular surgical procedure at the time of kerato-
regression analysis. Only 1 previous study had analyzed risk
plasty (OR, 13.08; 95% CI, 2.04-83.91; P = 0.007; ).
factors using multivariate logistic regression
Since preexisting glaucoma was a major risk factor for
Chien et found preexisting glaucoma and additional
postoperative ocular hypertension, a separate logistic
procedures as risk factors using logistic regression analysis,
regression analysis was performed for eyes without preex-
but that study looked only at the immediate postoperative
isting glaucoma and for eyes with preexisting glaucoma.
period (1 wk). Several other studies identified preexisting
Independent variables included previous ocular surgery,
glaucoma as a risk factor for postkeratoplasty ocular
donor oversize of 0.50 mm, additional surgical procedures
hypertension Jonas et alreported that on the
combined with keratoplasty, pseudophakia, and aphakia.
first postoperative day the IOP was significantly higher than
For eyes without preexisting glaucoma, the only significant
that before keratoplasty, the main predisposing factor
risk factor for the occurrence of postkeratoplasty ocular
being preexisting high IOP. Preexisting history of glaucoma
hypertension was an additional surgical procedure (OR,
was found to be responsible for higher graft On
14.85; 95% CI, 1.96-112.62; P = 0.009). Other factors were
the day of admission for PKP only 6 (3.5%) eyes in our
r 2013 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
J Glaucoma Volume 00, Number 00, '' 2013
Postkeratoplasty Ocular Hypertension
TABLE 6. Previous Studies on Postkeratoplasty Ocular Hypertension
Incidence of Glaucoma
Significant Risk Factors
Follow-up (Range)
17.14 ± 13.65 mo (4-60 mo)
10 y (8.1-11.3 y)
Preexisting glaucoma
30.4 ± 18.7 mo (12.1-111.6 mo)
23 ± 16.3 mo (6-48 mo)
AphakiaCombined surgery
Preexisting glaucoma
12% (>30 mm Hg)
Preexisting glaucoma
Combined surgeries
Combined surgeriesPAS
18% (>25 mm Hg)
Preexisting glaucoma
Preexisting glaucoma
33.6% (Z24 mm Hg)
Preexisting glaucoma
Combined surgeries
Combined surgeriesPreexisting glaucoma
Preexisting glaucoma
24.4 ± 7.5 mo (12-41 mo)
Combined surgeries
AC indicates anterior chamber; BK, bullous keratopathy; IOL, intraocular lens; PAS, peripheral anterior synechia; PBK, pseudophakic bullous
study had IOP of Z21 mm Hg, indicating that even when
Mechanisms explaining an IOP rise after PKP include
glaucoma was medically controlled, ocular hypertension
the following: postoperative edema and inflammation
could follow PKP if glaucoma preceded the surgery.
compromising the trabecular meshwork, angle distortion,
The second significant risk factor was the combination
peripheral anterior synechiae, retained viscoelastics, and a
of PKP with another surgical procedure, usually cataract
steroid response. Olson and using a mathe-
extraction with intraocular lens implantation. A combined
matical model, identified several surgical variables that
procedure was performed in 14% of our patients at the time
could potentially alter the anterior chamber angle and
of PKP. Other studies have also reported combined proce-
increase the IOP. According to this model, tight suturing,
dures to be a major risk factor for postkeratoplasty ocular
long suture bites, larger trephine sizes, same-sized donor-
hypertension Other reported risk factors for
recipient trephination, and increased recipient peripheral
the development of postkeratoplasty ocular hypertension are
corneal thickness were all related to iridocorneal angle
aphakia, presence of anterior synechiae, and indications for
compression and an IOP increase. Using same sized grafts
keratoplasty such as trauma, regraft, and bullous keratop-
may distort and collapse the angle thus causing decreased
In the present study, previous ocular sur-
outflow and increased IOP. Zimmerman et alobserved a
gery, donor oversize of 0.50 mm, additional intraocular sur-
higher incidence of postkeratoplasty glaucoma in aphakic
geries, pseudophakia, and aphakia were risk factors identified
eyes or in combined procedures when same size donor
by univariate analysis. Most previous studies identified
buttons were used. The IOP was greater in larger corneas.
aphakia as a significant risk factor Olson and
Again, Zimmermann et showed that using same size
Kaufmanstudied aphakic keratoplasty, and reported an
donor buttons in aphakic keratoplasty resulted in a 37%
incidence of IOP >35 mm Hg in the first postoperative week
reduction of outflow facility. This did not occur with 0.50-
in 46% of 81 aphakic eyes. In our study aphakia was indeed a
mm oversize donor button in phakic keratoplasty. Other
significant risk factor when analyzed separately, but was not
studies, however, did not find a significant effect of graft
found to be an independent predictor when multivariate
oversizing by 0.5 mm on postkeratoplasty ocular hyper-
regression analysis was performed.
tension.Interestingly, oversizing the grafts by 0.50 mm
r 2013 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
J Glaucoma Volume 00, Number 00, '' 2013
was one of the predisposing factors for ocular hypertension
carefully monitored after the procedure. Additional pro-
in our study, but only a small proportion of patients had
cedures during PKP increase the risk of postoperative
this oversizing. This effect was most likely associated with
ocular hypertension. Surgeons should probably consider
aphakia, as 0.5-mm oversized donors were applied to
the risk associated with combined procedures, and perhaps
aphakic patients. Having used multivariate analysis, both
consider the possibility of staged procedures. The intro-
factors were eliminated as risk factors for postoperative
duction of lamellar techniques for corneal transplantation
glaucoma. Other possible explanations for the increased
may further decrease the incidence of postkeratoplasty
risk in 0.5 mm oversizing is that these grafts are usually
larger. Larger donor buttons may affect the iridocornealangle. Indeed, Panda et noted an incidence of post-operative glaucoma of 37% in eyes with 10-mm grafts,
versus 14% in eyes with 6 to 7.5-mm grafts. Steroids play
1. Charlin R, Polack FM. The effect of elevated intraocular
an important role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Post-
pressure on the endothelium of corneal grafts. Cornea. 1986;1:
operative use of steroids controls inflammation and reduces
the likelihood of peripheral anterior synechia, thus reducing
2. Svedbergh B. Effects of artificial intraocular pressure elevation
on the corneal endothelium in the vervet monkey (Cercopi-
the risk of IOP elevation. In contrast, topical steroids may
thecus ethiops). Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 1975;53:839–855.
induce steroid-induced ocular hypertension. Most of our
3. Reinhard T, Kallmann C, Cepin A, et al. The influence of
patients were under treatment of steroids during the period
glaucoma history on graft survival after penetrating kerato-
of elevated IOP. The mean topical steroid application was 6
plasty. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1997;235:553–557.
times a day. When high IOP was observed, steroids were
4. Rumelt S, Bersudsky V, Blum-Hareuveni T, et al. Preexisting
tapered down, stopped, or switched to the weaker steroids.
and postoperative glaucoma in repeated corneal transplanta-
As almost all of our patients were maintained on topical
tion. Cornea. 2002;21:759–765.
corticosteroids postoperatively, it is difficult to assess the
5. Ing JJ, Ing HH, Nelson LR, et al. Ten-year postoperative
effect that steroids had on the incidence of postkeratoplasty
results of penetrating keratoplasty. Ophthalmology. 1998;105:1855–1865.
6. Mabuchi F, Aihara M, Mackey MR, et al. Regional optic
Preventive measures for
postoperative glaucoma
nerve damage in experimental mouse glaucoma. Invest
include control of preexisting glaucoma, use of oversized
Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004;45:4352–4358.
donor goniosynechiolysis,and removal of
7. Simmons RB, Stern RA, Teekhasaenee C, et al. Elevated
viscoelastic substance at the end of Zimmerman
intraocular pressure following penetrating keratoplasty. Trans
et aland Bourne et alnoted that use of 0.5-mm oversize
Am Ophthalmol Soc. 1989;87:79–91.
donor button in aphakic patients reduced the postoperative
8. Jonas JB, Rank RM, Hayler JK, et al. Intraocular pressure
incidence of glaucoma. Olson et alrecommended using a
after homologous penetrating keratoplasty. J Glaucoma.
donor button 0.50 mm larger than the recipient bed in
9. Karesh JW, Nirankari VS. Factors associated with glaucoma after
aphakic and combined procedures with PKP. Seitz et al
penetrating keratoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol. 1983;96:160–164.
noted a lesser IOP after PKP with laser trephination.
10. Foulks GN. Glaucoma associated with penetrating kerato-
Most eyes with high IOP were controlled medically,
plasty. Ophthalmology. 1987;94:871–874.
and only 3 eyes required surgical intervention. These
11. Olson RJ, Kaufman HE. Prognostic factors of intraocular
included trabeculectomy or Ahmed valve implantation.
pressure after aphakic keratoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol. 1978;86:
Surgical procedures that were previously reported for
refractory glaucoma include trabeculectomy with or with-
12. Franca ET, Arcieri ES, Arcieri RS, et al. A study of glaucoma
out adjunctive antifibrotic agents, cyclodialysis, cyclo-
after penetrating keratoplasty. Cornea. 2002;21:284–288.
destructive procedures, and glaucoma drainage implants
13. Kirkness CM, Ficker LA. Risk factors for the development of
postkeratoplasty glaucoma. Cornea. 1992;11:427–432.
such as Baerveldt, Molteno, or Ahmed valve implants.
14. Irvine AR, Kaufman HE. Intraocular pressure following
However, these procedures all increase the risk of graft
penetrating keratoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol. 1969;68:835–844.
failure.Another option to control refractory glaucoma is
15. Goldberg DB, Schanzlin DJ, Brown SI. Incidence of increased
by replacing topical corticosteroids with topical cyclo-
intraocular pressure after keratoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol.
sporine A (Perry et alThis however may increase the
risk of immune rejections.
16. Chien AM, Schmidt CM, Cohen EJ, et al. Glaucoma in the
The incidence of graft failures was higher, but didn't
immediate postoperative period after penetrating keratoplasty.
Am J Ophthalmol. 1993;115:711–714.
keratoplasty ocular hypertension. The higher risk of graft
17. Sekhar GC, Vyas P, Nagarajan R, et al. Post-penetrating
keratoplasty glaucoma. Indian J Ophthalmol. 1993;41:181–184.
failure in preexisting or postkeratoplasty glaucoma was
18. Wood TO, West C, Kaufman HE. Control of intraocular
previously reported.Rumelt et noted a higher inci-
pressure in penetrating keratoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol. 1972;
dence of graft failure in preexisting and postkeratoplasty
glaucoma patients.
19. Sihota R, Sharma N, Panda A, et al. Post-penetrating
In conclusion, IOP elevation after keratoplasty was
keratoplasty glaucoma: risk factors, management and visual
seen in nearly half of our patients during long-term follow-
outcome. Aust N Z J Ophthalmol. 1998;26:305–309.
up. The elevation of IOP may occur in the immediate
20. Kirkness CM, Moshegov C. Post-keratoplasty glaucoma. Eye.
postoperative period, while half of these patients may
experience a second period of ocular hypertension. Mon-
21. Karadag O, Kugu S, Erdogan G, et al. Incidence of and risk
factors for increased intraocular pressure after penetrating
itoring of IOP should be started in the early postoperative
keratoplasty. Cornea. 2010;29:278–282.
period. Preexisting glaucoma was found to be main risk
22. Olson RJ, Kaufman HE. A mathematical description of
factor for the development of postkeratoplasty ocular
causative factors and prevention of elevated intraocular
hypertension. Any patient with a history of preexisting
pressure after keratoplasty. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1977;16:
glaucoma should be carefully evaluated before PKP, and
r 2013 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
J Glaucoma Volume 00, Number 00, '' 2013
Postkeratoplasty Ocular Hypertension
23. Zimmerman T, Olson R, Waltman S, et al. Transplant size and
33. Seitz B, Langenbucher A, Nguyen NX, et al. Long-term
elevated intraocular pressure. Postkeratoplasty. Arch Ophthal-
follow-up of intraocular pressure after penetrating kerato-
plasty for keratoconus and Fuchs' dystrophy: comparison of
24. Zimmerman TJ, Krupin T, Grodzki W, et al. Size of donor
mechanical and Excimer laser trephination. Cornea. 2002;21:
corneal button and outflow facility in aphakic eyes. Ann
34. Ayyala RS. Penetrating keratoplasty and glaucoma. Surv
25. Zimmerman TJ, Krupin T, Grodzki W, et al. The effect of
suture depth on outflow facility in penetrating keratoplasty.
35. McDonnell PJ, Robin JB, Schanzlin DJ, et al. Molteno
Arch Ophthalmol. 1978;96:505–506.
implant for control of glaucoma in eyes after penetrating
26. Heidemann DG, Sugar A, Meyer RF, et al. Oversized donor
grafts in penetrating keratoplasty. A randomized trial. Arch
36. Hodkin MJ, Goldblatt WS, Burgoyne CF, et al. Early clinical
experience with the Baerveldt implant in complicated glauco-
27. Foulks GN, Perry HD, Dohlman CH. Oversize corneal donor
mas. Am J Ophthalmol. 1995;120:32–40.
grafts in penetrating keratoplasty. Ophthalmology. 1979;86:
37. Al-Torbak A. Graft survival and glaucoma outcome after
simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty and ahmed glaucoma
28. Panda A, Pangtey MS, Sony P. The study of glaucoma after
valve implant. Cornea. 2003;22:194–197.
penetrating keratoplasty. Cornea. 2003;22:91–92.
38. Cohen EJ, Schwartz LW, Luskind RD, et al. Neodymium:
29. Bourne WM, Davison JA, O'Fallon WM. The effects of
YAG laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation for glaucoma
oversize donor buttons on postoperative intraocular pressure
after penetrating keratoplasty. Ophthalmic Surg. 1989;20:
and corneal curvature in aphakic penetrating keratoplasty.
39. Gilvarry AM, Kirkness CM, Steele AD, et al. The management
30. Weiss JS, Waring GO III. Dental mirror for goniosynechialysis
of post-keratoplasty glaucoma by trabeculectomy. Eye. 1989;
during penetrating keratoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol. 1985;100:
3(pt 6):713–718.
40. Perry HD, Donnenfeld ED, Kanellopoulos AJ, et al. Topical
31. Burke S, Sugar J, Farber MD. Comparison of the effects of
cyclosporin A in the management of postkeratoplasty glau-
two viscoelastic agents, Healon and Viscoat, on postoperative
coma. Cornea. 1997;16:284–288.
intraocular pressure after penetrating keratoplasty. Ophthalmic
41. Perry HD, Donnenfeld ED, Acheampong A, et al. Topical
Cyclosporine A in the management of postkeratoplasty
32. Olson RJ, Zimmerman TJ, Kaufman HE. Glaucoma report.
glaucoma and corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension
Elevated intraocular pressure after aphakic keratoplasty:
(CIOH) and the penetration of topical 0.5% cyclosporine
iatrogenic disease and prevention. Ann Ophthalmol. 1978;10:
A into the cornea and anterior chamber. CLAO J. 1998;24:
r 2013 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Source: http://www.glaucoma.co.il/wp-content/uploads/Risk-Factors-and-Incidence-of-Ocular-Hypertension-After.pdf
Contents lists available at Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism journal homepage: An algorithm recommendation for the management of kneeosteoarthritis in Europe and internationally: A report from atask force of the European Society for Clinical and EconomicAspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) Olivier Bruyère, n, Cyrus Cooper, MD, PhDJean-Pierre Pelletier, MD, Jaime Branco, MD, Maria Luisa Brandi, MDFrancis Guillemin, MD, Marc C. Hochberg, MD, John A. Kanis, Tore K. Kvien, MD, Johanne Martel-Pelletier, PhD, René Rizzoli, MD, Stuart Silverman, MD,Jean-Yves Reginster, MD, PhD
Anthrax In America: A Chronology and Analysis of the Fall 2001 Attacks Center for Counterproliferation National Defense University The opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solelythose of the Center for Counterproliferation Research, and do not necessarily representthe views of the National Defense University, the Department of Defense, or any otherU.S. Government agency.