[Surgical therapy of keratoconus. Epikeratophakia versus penetrating keratoplasty].

Fifteen consecutive keratoconus patients undergoing epikeratophakia and 10 consecutive keratoconus patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty were included in a prospective study aimed at comparing the visual and refractive results of the two surgical methods. All patients had a minimum postoperative follow-up time of 12 months. Although patients undergoing epikeratophakia showed a tendency for quicker visual rehabilitation, visual acuity was comparable in the two groups as early as 3 months after surgery. The refractive results did not differ significantly in the two groups 12 months postoperatively. Epikeratophakia should be recommended for all keratoconus patients who cannot benefit from conservative treatment (spectacles or contact lenses) and who do not have central corneal opacities, especially in view of the absence of postoperative immunological rejections.