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  • Title: Potential complications of ocular surgery in patients with coexistent keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy.
    Author: Jurkunas U, Azar DT.
    Journal: Ophthalmology; 2006 Dec; 113(12):2187-97. PubMed ID: 16996603.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: To describe the potential complications of cataract and refractive surgery in patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (FED) and keratoconus. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eight patients with FED and keratoconus in a large university group practice. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and topographic findings of 8 patients (15 eyes) with FED and keratoconus. Clinical examination, corneal topography, specular microscopy were done, and sequential central corneal thickness (CCT) was obtained. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 6 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Findings of keratoconus and FED in preoperative evaluation. RESULTS: Five patients had concomitant cataracts; 3 had refractive errors and sought surgical correction. Cataract surgery was performed on 3 of 5 patients (5 eyes). LASIK was performed on one eye of 3 patients. Of 5 eyes that underwent cataract extraction, 4 had blurry vision after surgery. The interval between the surgical procedure and onset of symptoms ranged from 1 month to 4 years. The causes of decreased vision after cataract surgery were corneal edema and/or corneal ectasia. The CCT readings ranged from 426 to 824 microm. One of 4 symptomatic eyes underwent penetrating keratoplasty. The CCTs of 3 patients (6 eyes) who presented with refractive error ranged from 507 to 565 microm. One eye had undergone an attempted LASIK procedure resulting in a lost cap. Corneal topography and specular microscopy showed the coexistence of keratoconus and FED, and the patients were advised against having LASIK surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal thinning caused by keratoconus and concurrent increase in corneal thickness caused by FED may combine to normalize the corneal pachymetry readings; disease severity may be underestimated, which may lead to unexpected postoperative visual outcomes. Routine use of preoperative topography and specular microscopy may help to avert potential surgical complications.
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