AIM:To evaluate the indications, complications, and visual and graft survival outcomes in eyes that had undergone simultaneous cataract extraction and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).METHODS:We described a retrospective study of 101 patients who had undergone simultaneous cataract extraction and PKP at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2002. All patients were followed up postoperatively with maximum follow-up 68 months.RESULTS:The mean age of patients was 61 years. The mean overall follow-up was 27 months. The most common indications for surgery were corneal scarring (45.5%), previous failed graft (15.8%), corneal ulcer (12.9%), Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (8.9%), stromal dystrophy (2.9%), and other conditions (14.5%). Overall, 69 grafts (68.3%) remained clear at final follow-up. Previous glaucoma or postoperative glaucoma had no statistically significant effects on graft outcome (P>0.05).The graft rejection rate (17.8%) was a significant risk factor for failure (P=0.00). Age, gender, indications for surgery, corneal graft diameter, and intraoperative vitreous loss had no statistically significant effects on the PKP outcome (P>0.05). Postoperative visual acuity was significantly associated with preoperative visual acuity (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidence that performing a combined procedure results in more rapid visual rehabilitation and good graft clarity.