Endothelial-Preserving Penetrating Keratoplasty (Endo-Pk): Technique and Early Clinical Outcomes.

Purpose: to describe technique and evaluate early outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty with preserved recipient peripheral endothelium. Methods: Prospective case series included five eyes with central full thickness corneal opacity and underwent endothelial preserving penetrating keratoplasty (Endo-PK). Outcome measures assessed at least six months after surgery included: Average keratometric reading (average K), keratometric astigmatism (KA), manifest refractive astigmatism (RA), spectacle best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and complications. Results: The mean follow up period was 7.8± 2.1 months. The mean BCVA (decimal) was 0.46±0.17 (range: 0.3 – 0.7). The mean RA was 1.85± 1.14 diopters (range: 0-3 diopters). The mean KA was 2.1± 1.15 diopters (range: 0.5 -3.5 diopters). The average keratometric reading (average K) was 44.5 ± 1.6 diopters and ranged from 42 to 46 diopters. As regard late postoperative complications, there was persistent peripheral double anterior chamber encountered in one eye (20%). Con-clusions: Endothelial preserving penetrating keratoplasty (Endo-PK) represents a promising step forward in optimizing corneal transplantation in eyes with full thickness corneal scars and healthy peripheral endothelium.