RK4 (reverse-geometry) contact lens fitting after penetrating keratoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the performance of the RK4 (reverse-geometry) contact lens in patients with flat central and steep peripheral corneal topography after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed of post-PK patients fitted with RK4 lenses on the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Hospital, between March 2000 and February 2002.


RESULTS
Fifteen eyes of 13 post-PK patients were fitted with RK4 lenses and monitored for more than two months (range, 2.1-23.5 months; mean, 8.1 +/- 7.0 months). The average number of lens refits per eye was 1.0 +/- 1.2 (range, 0-4). Ninety-three percent (14/15) of the eyes that were fitted achieved at least 20/30 visual acuity, and 53% (8/15) of eyes achieved 20/20 visual acuity. A comparison of prefitted and post-fitted corrected visual acuity demonstrated a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.01). RK4 lenses were successfully worn full time or part time in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The RK4 lens can provide well-tolerated visual correction in cases with central flat, peripheral steep corneal contour following PK.
Lin
Jen-Chieh
JC
Cornea Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Cohen
Elisabeth J
EJ
Rapuano
Christopher J
CJ
Laibson
Peter R
PR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003261:Contact Lenses; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity