Keratophakia. Long-term results.

Thirty-three keratophakias were performed at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills, California between August 1979 and October 1982. Nineteen were primary, combined with cataract surgery; 14 were secondary, performed on aphakic eyes. Data on the 23 cases that had a minimum follow-up time of one year were analyzed by an independent observer. Best visual acuity obtained at seven months was 20/40 or better in 62% of the patients. Induced keratometric astigmatism averaged 1.0 diopter and manifest refractive astigmatism 2.0 diopters. The results of secondary keratophakia vs keratophakia combined with cataract extraction were compared. Accuracy, complication rate and final visual recovery suggest that the combined procedure is safe and effective, and that primary keratophakia does not add a significant risk to cataract surgery.