Pseudophakic corneal edema: A review of mechanisms and treatments.
OBJECTIVE
To review the pathological mechanisms and treatments for pseudophakic corneal edema (PCE), one of the most common indications for penetrating keratoplasty.


METHODS
The literature was examined for the molecular biology associated with PCE and for the surgical and medical treatments for this disorder.


RESULTS
The incidence of PCE has recently been decreasing because of improved surgical instrumentation, including improvements in intraocular lens designs that cause less trauma to the corneal endothelium. Extracellular matrix and growth factor abnormalities occur in PCE corneas and recently, the role of aquaporins, which are involved in the regulation of fluid movement across cells, has been investigated.


CONCLUSIONS
Although newer treatment options have been suggested, penetrating keratoplasty still remains the most definitive treatment and has the highest success rate.
Narayanan
Raja
R
LV Prasad Eye Institute, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, India.
Gaster
Ronald N
RN
Kenney
M Cristina
MC
D002387:Cataract Extraction; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*