[Factors Affecting Outcomes of Repeated Penetrating Keratoplasty].

Purpose: To investigate prognosis for repeated penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and factors that affect the outcome.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated graft survival rates, 1-year postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and irreversible rejection rates in 108 eyes of 106 patients that had repeated PKP. Factors that might affect the outcome were, age, number of previous PKP, original diseases, history of glaucoma and rejection and the use of postoperative immunosuppressant were also studied.

Results: Individual-factor analysis showed that history of rejection and postoperative immunosuppressant significantly increased the risk of postoperative rejection. Multi-factor analysis showed that graft survival rate was significantly lower among cases that had systemic immunosuppressants (steroids and cyclosporine). One year postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was significantly worse in cases that had history of glaucoma. In cases with history of rejection, systemic administration of postoperative immunosuppressants was significantly associated with postoperative irreversible rejection.

Conclusion: History of rejection and glaucoma tend to have poor outcome, and the outcome might not improve by postoperative immunosuppressants.