Postoperative visual correction following penetrating keratoplasty usually includes spectacles, but for some patients optimal vision may be obtained using contact lenses. We studied 126 eyes of 101 patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty to determine the frequency of postoperative contact-lens use, its clinical associations, its effect on the risk of corneal graft rejection, and its potential effects on topical medications. A total of 20 patients (16%) wore contact lenses postoperatively for maximal optical correction. Among eyes with good macular potential, 17 of 63 (27%) wore contact lenses. Contact-lens wear did not preclude the use of chronic postoperative topical medications, nor did it increase the risk of corneal graft rejection. We conclude that contact lenses may be useful for optimizing vision after penetrating keratoplasty, especially when macular potential is good.