Penetrating keratoplasty and intraocular lens exchange for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy associated with a closed-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens.

We reviewed the records of 20 consecutive eyes with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy associated with a closed-loop anterior chamber lens that underwent penetrating keratoplasty, total anterior vitrectomy, and anterior chamber intraocular lens exchange. On reexamination, all corneal grafts had remained clear during an average follow-up period of 15 months (range, four to 45 months). Seven eyes (35%) attained a visual acuity of 20/40 or better with spectacle correction; however, 15 of 20 eyes (75%) attained a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better using a pinhole and a gas-permeable contact lens. In five eyes visual acuity was 20/400 or poorer because of cystoid macular edema, as documented by fluorescein angiography, age-related macular degeneration, or optic atrophy. Localized, minimal peripheral anterior synechiae were present on gonioscopy in seven eyes. The one-piece flexible anterior chamber lens implants used for exchange appeared to be well tolerated in this series of patients.