Review leaves uncertainty about lying on the back after corneal surgery
Pooled studies found no statistically significant difference in graft detachment between postoperative positions, but substantial uncertainty remained.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review did not detect a statistically significant difference in graft detachment between postoperative positioning groups. However, its uncertainty range allowed both lower and higher risk with positions other than lying on the back. These results do not establish that the positions are interchangeable or support changing an individual postoperative plan.
This abstract-based explanation combines randomized and observational evidence. The abstract does not describe positioning schedules or follow-up lengths, limiting interpretation of the pooled result.
What researchers found
Postoperative graft detachment
Other positions versus lying on the back: estimated detachment risk was 1.09 times as high, with confidence limits from 0.52 to 2.26 times as high. These are relative risks, not absolute probabilities. Follow-up was not reported.
Why uncertainty matters
The estimate sits close to equal risk, but its confidence interval spans lower and higher risk. A nonsignificant result therefore cannot establish equal outcomes or rule out an important difference.
Other outcomes
The review also detected no statistically significant differences in repeat graft surgery, rebubbling procedures, visual acuity, or eye pressure. Those comparisons do not resolve the uncertainty about graft attachment.
The original publication
Non-supine versus supine position after endothelial keratoplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ardiani LS, Dewi AS, Hutauruk JA et al.
Eur J Ophthalmol · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 40888495
- Record checked
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