De novo ocular hypertension after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty: comparative 3-year incidence, risk factors, and outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To compare the 3-year incidence of de novo ocular hypertension (OHT) after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK). For DSAEK, to evaluate predictors for OHT and 2-year outcomes after OHT development. METHODS: This was a review of the prospective Singapore Corneal Transplant Study at a single tertiary referral center. Consecutive DSAEKs and PKs for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED) and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) in eyes without pre-existing glaucoma were analyzed. OHT incidence after DSAEK and PK were compared using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and OHT risk factors identified using Cox proportional regression. OHT was defined: intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥ 24 mmHg or ≥ 10 mmHg from baseline. Secondary outcomes 2 years after OHT development in DSAEK were rates of glaucoma medical therapy failure, IOP success, graft failure and rejection, and best-spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA). RESULTS: There were 108 (96.4%) DSAEKs and 216 (96%) PKs. The 1-, 2- and 3-year de novo OHT incidence was not significantly different between DSAEK (36.1%, 47.2%, 47.2%, respectively) and PK (35.7%, 44.9%, 45.8%, respectively; P = 0.914). OHT incidence did not differ in subgroup analyses of multiple clinical variables (P > 0.1). OHT predictors after DSAEK were: fellow eye glaucoma (hazard ratio [HR] 3.20, P = 0.004), age <60 years (HR 2.41, P = 0.016), concurrent goniosynechiolysis (HR 3.29, P = 0.021), post-graft complications or procedures (HR 2.85, P = 0.006). Two years after OHT onset, 29.7% of DSAEKs failed glaucoma medical therapy requiring trabeculectomy. Complete and qualified IOP success was achieved in 23.5% and 76.5%, respectively. Graft failure developed in 9.8% and graft rejection in 5.9%. At 6 months, 1, and 2 years from OHT onset, 86.3%, 88.3%, and 92.1% achieved BSCVA 20/40, respectively. CONCLUSION: DSAEK and PK have comparable OHT risks. A significant 30% of DSAEK eyes with OHT require filtration surgery. Effective IOP control and good graft and visual outcomes are achieved with treatment.