Hydrophilic bandages in penetrating keratoplasty.

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 100 consecutive cases of penetrating keratoplasty revealing that in 68% of the cases hydrophilic bandage lenses were applied at some time during the course of the operative procedure or postoperatively. In 4% of the cases, lenses were applied before the actual start of keratoplasty and in 13% the lenses were applied before the conclusion of the operative procedure. In 28%, the initial lens application occurred within the first 10 postoperative days while in 18% initial application occurred prior to the time of suture removal. In the remaining 5% of the cases, the lens was applied relatively late in the postoperative course. Primary indications for bandage lens application were prophylactic in cases of infants, chemical burns, exposure, and dry eyes. Therapeutic indications included surface drying and erosion, wound margin defects, patient discomfort, and inflammatory episodes.