An update of the indications for penetrating keratoplasty. 1979 through 1983
J. B. Robin, J. J. Gindi, K. Koh, D. J. Schanzlin, N. A. Rao, K. K. York and R. E. Smith
We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical and pathologic
diagnoses of 497 corneal buttons that had been submitted to the Estelle
Doheny Eye Pathology Laboratory, Los Angeles, during the five-year period
1979 through 1983. The leading indications, in order of decreasing
frequency, were pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (17.5%), regrafts (15.1%),
aphakic bullous keratopathy (10.9%), corneal trauma (9.3%), and Fuchs'
endothelial dystrophy (9.1%). The emergence of pseudophakic bullous
keratopathy as the most common cause for penetrating keratoplasty
correlates well with the dramatic increase in the number of cataract
extractions with intraocular lens implantations performed since the
mid-1970s. Less frequent indications for penetrating keratoplasty included
the following: corneal scars (6%); active ulcerative keratitis (7%);
keratoconus (6%); keratitis secondary to virus (5%); non-Fuchs' corneal
dystrophies (3%); congenital corneal opacities (3%); interstitial keratitis
(2%); and chemical burns (1%).
