Post-keratoplasty emergency visits at a hospital in Jordan.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the different complaints and presentations, such as emergency visits, after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), ways of management, and the outcome of these visits.


METHODS
This prospective study included a total of 60 consecutive emergency visits by 55 post-PKP patients at the eye clinic in King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan between January 2007 and January 2008.


RESULTS
Fifty-five patients were included (66.7%) with a preoperative diagnosis of keratoconus. Pain and gritty sensation were the main presenting symptoms; loose irritating sutures (26.7%), and graft rejection (25%) were the most common diagnoses. Fourteen patients (23%) were admitted to the hospital for either re-suturing or intensive treatment, the graft survived in all patients, while the visual acuity was preserved in 96.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
Proper postoperative care is critical for a successful penetrating keratoplasty; early intervention of sight threatening complications increases the chance of graft survival and best-obtained vision.
Asfour
Wafa M
WM
Eye Department, Royal Medical Services-King Hussein Medical Center, PO Box 3433, Amman 11181, Jordan. wlasfour@hotmail.com
Shaban
Reham I
RI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult