Corneal Thickness: Postoperative Changes in Refrigerated and Cryopreserved Corneal Grafts

Abstract

A modified Haag Streit pachometer was used to follow changes in corneal thickness from the first postoperative day in 45 patients who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty with either refrigerated or cryopreserved donor material. Normal patterns of corneal detergescence after keratoplasty are described. Individual and overall comparisons are made of the commonly used refrigerated grafts with the cryopreserved grafts. No significant difference could be seen in this study. Apart from its research interest, the practice of following keratoplasty patients with corneal thickness measurements has proven of value clinically.