A Century of Sight Restoration: Case Series of Keratoplasty in Sir Gangaram Hospital, Lahore
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55519/JAMC-04-15189Keywords:
Keratoplasty, Penetrating, Corneal Diseases, Visual Acuity, Corneal Transplantation, Graft Survival, Endothelial CellsAbstract
Background: Corneal blindness remains a major challenge, with limited local data and variable keratoplasty outcomes reported. This study was conducted to evaluate visual recovery, corneal clarity, and graft survival, providing region-specific evidence for improved management.
Objectives: To evaluate the indications, clinical outcomes, and success rate of penetrating keratoplasty, including visual acuity improvement, corneal clarity, and graft survival, in patients undergoing the procedure at a tertiary corneal care center.
Methodology: The study reviewed hospital records of patients with corneal blindness undergoing penetrating keratoplasty or triple procedure from 2021 to 2023. Surgeries were performed by cornea-trained surgeons using donor tissue from the USA. Postoperative care, follow-up at multiple intervals, and outcomes including visual acuity, graft status, and complications were recorded, with all data anonymized to ensure confidentiality.
Results: In this case series of 100 patients (mean age 34.6 ± 14.8 years; 73% male), penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 92%, with 7% undergoing a triple procedure. Visual acuity improved significantly from a preoperative logMAR of 1.65 to 0.39 at 12 months. Corneal clarity stabilized in 82%, and graft survival was 96.9%, with minimal complications.
Conclusion: This case series demonstrates that penetrating keratoplasty provides significant and sustained visual improvement, with progressive reduction in logMAR BCVA and high graft clarity over 12 months. Most early postoperative complications resolved over time, resulting in successful graft uptake in 96.9% of patients, confirming the procedure’s effectiveness and safety.
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