Lung Transplant Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Lung Transplant, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery, organ donation.

The value of routine ophthalmological tests in the screening for lung transplantation.

Seré M, Ouwens JP, van der Bij W, Hardus PL

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.

We aimed to analyse the results of ophthalmological examinations in the screening before and in the follow-up after lung transplantation. Altogether, 295 consecutive patients who had undergone ophthalmological examination in the screening before lung transplantation were analysed. Preoperatively 27% ocular abnormalities were found; none of them formed a contraindication for the transplantation. Of the 122 patients who underwent transplantation, 24 (20%) had postoperative ocular complaints. We can conclude that, because of the absence of contraindications in all of these patients, routine ophthalmological screening before transplantation is not recommended. Routine postoperative screening is not required, either.

Published 1 August 2005 in Transpl Int, 17(12): 859-61.
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