Long-term topical steroid treatment after penetrating keratoplasty in patients with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the use of long-term topical corticosteroid treatment in patients with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
This study considered patients with PBK undergoing an initial PK procedure for visual reasons in the United Kingdom between April 1999 and March 2004. There were 1274 initial PK procedures for PBK reported to United Kingdom Transplant in this period, of which 1184 (91%) were grafted for visual reasons. Of these 1184 grafts, follow-up was reported in 1033 instances (87%).


METHODS
A Cox regression model was used to investigate the combined effects of all preoperative factors (recipient age, human leukocyte antigen [HLA] matching, trephine size, deep stromal vascularization, surgeon activity) on graft failure. The model was fitted using all preoperative factors first, and subsequently, factors associated with corticosteroid and other medications were included.


METHODS
Graft survival.


RESULTS
Three-year survival of grafts for PBK was 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59%-70%). Topical corticosteroids were still being used beyond 18 months after surgery in 378 (37%) of the 1033 corneal grafts included in this study. The grafts of patients not currently receiving steroids were 1.5 times as likely to fail (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.2; P<0.03). Lack of HLA matching (P = 0.006), trephine size <or=7.50 mm and >or=8.00 mm (P = 0.03), recipient age younger than 65 years (P = 0.003), and corneal vascularization (P = 0.04) all increased the risk of graft failure.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of long-term postoperative corticosteroids improved graft survival after PK for PBK. Barring patient contraindications for long-term topical corticosteroid use, clinicians should consider maintaining patients with PBK on long-term postoperative corticosteroid maintenance.
Ross
Adam H
AH
Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom. adamross@doctors.org.uk
Jones
Mark N A
MN
Nguyen
Dan Q
DQ
Jaycock
Philip D
PD
Armitage
W John
WJ
Cook
Stuart D
SD
Kaye
Stephen B
SB
Tole
Derek M
DM
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D005938:Glucocorticoids