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Ethan M. Kutzscher, MD; Andrew L. Sorenson, MD; Daniel F. Goodman, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2004;122:1333-1336.

Objective  To report the results of penetrating keratoplasty performed by residents.

Method  A retrospective medical record review of all patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty performed by residents at our institution from April 1998 to April 2002.

Results  Forty penetrating keratoplasty procedures were performed by 8 residents. The most common indication was keratoconus (17 eyes [43%]), followed by corneal scarring (14 eyes [35%]). Mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/250. No intraoperative complications were reported. Mean follow-up time was 15 months. Postoperatively, mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40, mean postoperative astigmatism was 3.4 ± 2.1 diopters, and graft survival was 92.5%. Postoperative complications included elevated intraocular pressure, wound dehiscence, and endophthalmitis.

Main Outcome Measures  Best-corrected visual acuity, postoperative astigmatism, graft survival, and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Conclusion  Residents can be introduced to penetrating keratoplasty and achieve surgical success with intraoperative and postoperative complication rates similar to those previously published.

From the Cornea Service, Department of Ophthalmology, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco. The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.