Prognosis in repeat keratoplasty: per indication analysis in a large monocentric cohort

BACKGROUND: Data from national graft registries suggests a limited prognosis in the group of all repeat keratoplasties. This group might rather consist mostly of cases already classified as high risk in the first place, however. Thus, repeat keratoplasties in normal risk indications might have a substantially better prognosis. In particular, any specific increase of immune reactions following repeat keratoplasty as compared to first keratoplasties is unknown at present. Furthermore, the contribution of chronic endothelial cell loss to graft failure following repeat keratoplasty has not yet been investigated. The aim of this analysis on a large retrospective cohort is to estimate the incidence of graft rejections and failures als well as chronic endothelial cell loss following repeat keratoplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All keratoplasties that had been performed from 1986 to 2006 at the University Eye Hospital Düsseldorf were selected for the 4 most relevant indications. A total of 2073 first keratoplasties and 236 repeat keratoplasties for keratoconus, Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, bullous keratopathy and herpetic corneal scars were included in the analysis. For each indication, the incidence of graft rejections and failures was compared between first and repeat keratoplasty using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Endothelial cell loss was quantified by means of exponential regression analysis in the cases without immune reactions. Data of 65 repeat keratoplasties and 532 initial keratoplasties were available for analysis in a generalised linear model. RESULTS: After five years, the risk of graft rejections was not increased in repeat keratoplasties for keratoconus as compared to initial keratoplasties. In Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (p = 0.03) and herpetic corneal scars (n. s.) an increase of 11 % was observed. In bullous keratopathy the increase was as high as 24 % (p < or = 0.01). Irreversible graft failure increased by 4 % in keratoconus, 11 % in Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, 7 % in herpetic eye disease and by 31 % in bullous keratopathy. Only the latter difference reached statistical significance (p < or = 0.01), however. In this group, chronic endothelial cell loss was accelerated to a great extent as well: annual cell loss averaged 43 % in repeat keratoplasties whereas this rate was as low as 20 % for the initial surgery (p = 0.01). In the other indications, acceleration of cell loss in repeat keratoplasties as compared to the first transplantation did not exceed 12 % (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of repeat keratoplasties for keratoconus does not seem to fall short of that of initial keratoplasty. A slight deterioration can be assumed in Fuchs endothelial and herpetic eye disease dystrophy. Repeat keratoplasties in initial bullous keratopathy, however, seem to have a substantially poorer prognosis with respect to immune reactions, graft survival and chronic endothelial cell loss.     

Penetrating keratoplasty in Africa: graft survival and visual outcome.

AIM: To study the survival and visual outcome of penetrating keratoplasty in an African setting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 216 corneal grafts, performed on 203 eyes of 186 patients, at Kikuyu Hospital, Kenya over a 5 year period. RESULTS: Half of the transplants were carried out for keratoconus with only 5% of the grafts being undertaken for corneal scarring caused by trachoma or measles. The average follow up was 27.3 months. The probability of graft survival at 2 years was 87.4% (95% CI 80.6%-94.3%) for keratoconus and 64.7% (95% CI 54.8%-74.6%) for other corneal pathologies. Forty seven grafts (21.8%) in 36 patients (17.7%) are known to have become opaque. The commonest causes of graft opacification were bacterial keratitis (6.0%), endothelial failure (6.0%), and graft rejection (5.1%). Preoperatively 55% of keratoconus eyes and 75.7% of non-keratoconus eyes were blind. Postoperatively, 5% of keratoconus eyes and 41.7% of the non-keratoconus eyes were blind. Normal vision was achieved in 53.7% of operated eyes. Grafts carried out for keratoconus had a better visual outcome than grafts performed for other corneal pathologies. Preoperatively, 12.4% of keratoconus and 48.5% of non-keratoconus patients were blind in their better eye. Postoperatively, 1.1% of keratoconus patients and 25.7% of non-keratoconus patients were blind. The number of patients with normal vision in the better eye increased from 32 (17.2%) to 106 (57.0%). Sight was restored to 34 blind patients, but two patients with severe visual impairment preoperatively were blind at their last follow up. There was therefore a net reduction of 32 in the number of blind patients after 216 keratoplasties. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating keratoplasty can be successful in Africa, particularly for keratoconus and other corneal dystrophies. However, penetrating keratoplasty has a limited role in the treatment of blindness from corneal scarring due to trachoma, measles, and vitamin A deficiency for which community based preventive measures must remain the priority.     

Clear graft survival and immune reactions following emergency keratoplasty

BACKGROUND: Emergency penetrating keratoplasty is said to have a poorer outcome than conventional keratoplasty. We performed a retrospective analysis of 272 cases of emergency keratoplasty to evaluate this hypothesis. METHODS: We analysed 272 cases of emergency keratoplasty and compared the results with a control group of 1,257 scheduled normal-risk keratoplasties and 407 scheduled high-risk keratoplasties. Kaplan-Meier estimations were performed to estimate the percentage of clear graft survival and development of immune reactions. Indications for emergency keratoplasty were microbial diseases (n=109, acanthamoeba, bacteria, fungi), herpes simplex virus infections (n=83), ulcers due to immunological diseases (n=63), and 17 cases of ulcers of unknown origin. RESULTS: Within 1,500 postoperative days, grafts following emergency keratoplasty suffered statistically significantly more graft failures (clear graft survival, 67.9 vs. 86.9%, P<0.01) and immune reactions (grafts free from immune reactions, 62.8 vs. 78.6%, P<0.01) than grafts following scheduled, normal-risk keratoplasty. There was no statistically significant difference between emergency and scheduled high-risk keratoplasties (clear graft survival, 67.9 vs. 70.2%, and grafts free from immune reactions, 62.8 vs. 66.8%). For emergency keratoplasties, systemic immunosuppression (with cyclosporin A and/or mycophenolatmophetil) had a statistically significant positive effect on clear graft survival (77.4 vs. 63.5%, P=0.01), but not on the development of immune reactions (62.8 vs. 62.3%). A sub-group analysis showed that the effect on clear graft survival was mainly an effect on the underlying systemic immunological disease that had lead to emergency keratoplasty. CONCLUSION: This retrospective analysis revealed that clear graft survival is limited following emergency keratoplasty. As in high-risk situations, systemic immunosuppression may be the key to improving prognosis following emergency keratoplasty in the long run.     

Systemic cyclosporin A in high failure risk,repeated corneal transplantation

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of oral cyclosporin A in the prevention and treatment of immune graft rejection in heavily vascularised, repeated keratoplasties with high risk for failure. METHODS: 21 consecutive patients with 28 repeated corneal transplants and four quadrant vascularised recipient bed were treated with oral cyclosporin A for an average period of 12 months (range 1-41 months) and followed for an average period of 26.6 months (range 6-106 months). The average cyclosporin A blood level was 325 ng/ml (range 180-421 ng/ml). Within this group of 21 patients, another 12 regrafts were not treated with cyclosporin A and served as a control group. RESULTS: Nine of the 28 regrafts (32%) treated with cyclosporin A remained clear. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed a constant decline in survival of the treated grafts, although the survival proportion during the first year of treatment was statistically higher for the treated group compared with the untreated group. Once immune regraft rejection occurred, the regraft failed despite treatment with cyclosporin A and extensive topical and systemic corticosteroids. Nine regrafts (32%) had immune graft rejection and all ultimately failed compared with five in the untreated regrafts (42%, p = NS). Ten other regrafts (36%) in the treatment group failed due to causes other than immune regraft rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic cyclosporin A has a limited beneficial effect in preventing immune graft rejection in repeated corneal transplants in a highly vascularised corneal bed. When immune graft rejection occurs in such regrafts, the prognosis is poor despite aggressive medical treatment. Causes other than immune regraft rejection may also result in poor visual outcome in patients with clear regrafts.     

An analysis of contrast sensitivity in identical twins with keratoconus

We studied a pair of 36-year-old identical twins with keratoconus, one of whom had undergone bilateral penetrating keratoplasties. Both patients had final best corrected Snellen visual acuity of approximately 20/20. However, contrast sensitivity functions for the unoperated twin were abnormal when compared to the operated twin. In addition, contrast sensitivity data for the operated twin during and after a graft rejection indicate that corneal graft opacity and distortion can significantly alter the contrast sensitivity function. The unusual occurrence of identical twins with keratoconus afforded the unique opportunity to explore the visual and psychophysical aspects of keratoconus in a genetically controlled setting.     

Causes and risk factors for graft failure in surgeries performed by physicians in fellowship training

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence, causes, and risk factors of penetrating keratoplasty failure. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in 213 penetrating keratoplasties (194 patients) between January 1995 and January 2001 at the Cornea Section of the Ophthalmology Service at the School of Medicine, Federal University of Uberlandia MG, Brazil. Follow-up time for 213 surgeries ranged from 2 to 68 months (mean 29.05 +/- 17.17 months). RESULTS: Two hundred thirteen surgeries were evaluated, and 54 (25.3%) failed. Risk factors for developing graft failure were regraft [relative risk (RR) = 2.9734], trauma (RR = 1.4602) and herpes (HSV) (RR = 1.3400). Patients with previous glaucoma (P < 0.00001), previous ocular surgery (P < 0.0008), combined procedures (P < 0.001), and glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty (P < 0.00001) had an increased the rate of graft failure. The main causes of graft failure were irreversible rejection (50%), glaucoma (20.3%), primary graft failure (16.6%), and infection (3.8%). CONCLUSION: Graft failure is a common problem in cornea transplantation. Etiology and pre- and postsurgical risk factors are important in the prognosis of keratoplasties.     

Corneal grafting for keratoconus in mentally retarded patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of penetrating and non-penetrating corneal grafting procedures in mentally retarded keratoconus patients. METHODS: In the years 1974-2000 41 mentally retarded patients with keratoconus (33 with Down syndrome) were operated with corneal grafting. Mean age at operation was 36.7+/-10.8 years. Three different surgical procedures were used (no randomization): penetrating keratoplasty (n=16), lamellar keratoplasty (n=5) and epikeratophakia (n=20). In a retrospective study, the non-penetrating procedures (lamellar keratoplasty and epikeratophakia) were compared to the penetrating keratoplasties with regard to graft survival and frequency of serious complications. Mean follow-up time of all grafting procedures was 80+/-58 months. RESULTS: All cases of serious complications (irreversible rejection, wound leakage or perforation) occurred in the penetrating keratoplasty group (p=0.0005). Older age at operation (p=0.011) adversely influenced the frequency of serious complications. Overall five-year survival was 74.9%. Graft survival was not related to surgical procedure, but rather to age at operation (poorer survival in older age, p=0.012) and degree of retardation (poorer survival in patients with more severe retardation, p=0.051). CONCLUSIONS: Because of the safety and low frequency of complications, epikeratophakia is recommended as the grafting procedure of choice in the majority of mentally retarded with keratoconus. In selected cases (good cooperation, age < or =40 years, and a good peripheral corneal thickness) penetrating keratoplasty may be performed, which, if uncomplicated, often will give better functional/optical results.     

Chronic endothelial cell loss of the graft after penetrating keratoplasty: influence of endothelial cell migration from graft to host

BACKGROUND: Chronic endothelial cell loss of the graft is common after penetrating keratoplasty. Some kind of subclinical immunological reaction that is not visible at the slitlamp has been suspected as main cause for this phenomenon. Furthermore, migration of graft endothelial cells towards the host cornea has been discussed to add to this loss in special cases. In this study, 3 homogenous patient groups with similar risk of immunological reactions were examined. Main difference between these groups was the potential of graft endothelial cells to migrate towards the host cornea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with keratoconus without cataract surgery (group I with little migration potential, n = 273), patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy without/with cataract surgery (groups IIa/IIb with moderate migration potential, n = 89/n = 165) and patients with bullous keratopathy after cataract surgery (group III with potentially large migration tendency, n = 188) were included in the study. All patients had a first keratoplasty. Patients with glaucoma or further intraocular procedures after keratoplasty were excluded from the study. Clear graft survival and ratio of grafts without immune reactions were estimated according to Kaplan and Meier. Endothelial analysis concerned only patients without immune reactions and with at least 3 postoperative endothelial cell density values of the graft center (76 patients in I, 18 patients in IIa, 41 patients in IIb and 23 patients in III). RESULTS: Mean relative loss of endothelial cells per year was 14.0 +/- 19.0 % in group I, 17.0 +/- 19.1 % in group IIa, 20.8 +/- 18.2 % in group IIb and 29.4 +/- 17.6 % in group III (ANOVA, p < 0.01). Five years postoperatively in group I 99 %, in group IIa 98 %, in group IIb 93 % and in group III 69 % of the grafts were centrally clear (log rank test, p < 0.001). In the same period in group I 88 %, in group IIa 86 %, in group IIb 83 % and in group III 81 % of the grafts were free of immune reactions (log rank test, p < 0.05). Reasons for irreversible graft failure were immune reactions (0 in group I; 0 in group IIa; 1 in group IIb; 9 in group III, ), surface disorders (1 in group I; 0 in IIa; 1 in group IIb; 3 in group III) and endothelial failure (0 in group I; 1 in group IIa; 5 in group IIb; 6 in group III) (chi square test, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bullous keratopathy endothelial cell loss via migration seems to add significantly to the general chronic loss which is suspected to be immunological. Peripheral migration of endothelial cells, therefore, most probably contributes to limited prognosis of patients with bullous keratopathy in terms of clear graft survival. In consequence, corneal grafts for bullous keratopathy should be as large as immunologically tolerable, and endothelial cell density should be as high as possible in order to counteract this special endothelial loss factor.     

Penetrating keratoplasty in children: visual and graft outcome

AIMS: To review factors affecting graft survival and determinants of visual acuity after penetrating keratoplasty in children. METHODS: All cases of penetrating keratoplasty performed in an ophthalmic unit, in children aged less than 15 years at the time of operation, for the period 1984 to 2002 were included. RESULTS: 19 penetrating keratoplasties were done in 18 eyes of 16 children, age range 2 weeks to 14 years 8 months (mean 9.24 years), with mean follow up 6.6 years. 73.7% of grafts have remained clear for up to 14 years. Postoperative visual acuity among congenital indications for graft was better than 6/60 in only 14.2% of cases, but was better than or equal to 6/12 in all cases of keratoconus. CONCLUSION: This series shows that prolonged corneal graft survival can be achieved in children, but successful restoration of visual acuity depends upon a period of normal visual development before the onset of corneal opacification.     

Risk factors for corneal allograft rejection: intermediate results of a prospective normal-risk keratoplasty study

PURPOSE: To analyze the incidence of and possible risk factors for endothelial corneal allograft rejection in a well-defined population following penetrating normal-risk keratoplasty. METHODS: Since 1996 a longitudinal prospective study has been conducted to analyze the results of normal-risk penetrating keratoplasty. All patients underwent a standardized protocol of follow-up treatment and examinations in our institution. Diagnosis of corneal endothelial rejection was based on slit-lamp biomicroscopy and laser flare photometry. Data were analyzed using a proportional hazard model for censored data (Cox model), and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. The following parameters were analyzed: age, gender, atopic dermatitis, dry eye symptoms of the recipient; surgeon, graft diameter, post-mortem time, storage time and graft preservation method; and duration of postoperative epithelial defects. RESULTS: Between 1996 and May 2001, 397 patients were recruited and followed with a median follow-up of 18 months. Episodes of endothelial graft rejection were observed in 22 patients (5.5%; 18 eyes with acute diffuse episodes and 4 eyes with chronic focal rejection episodes). In addition, 12 eyes (3%) showed isolated small keratic precipitates ("graft rejection suspects"). All but one graft regained clarity after topical and systemic steroid treatment. Most episodes occurred 11-18 months postoperatively. The percentage of grafts without any episode of endothelial allograft rejection was 95% after 12 months, 89% after 18 months, and 86.5% after 24 months. The following factors were associated with graft rejection: atopic dermatitis (P=0.021), clinically manifest tear insufficiency (P=0.007), and short duration of graft storage (P=0.008). No significant correlation was detected for the remainder of the analyzed factors (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of episodes of corneal endothelial allograft rejection following normal-risk keratoplasty was 13.5% within the first two postoperative years. However, the frequency of irreversible immunologic graft failure (3 per thousand) was lower than reported in the literature. Patients should be regularly followed up for at least 18 months postoperatively. Patients with underlying atopic dermatitis or dry eyes should receive special ophthalmological care.     

Factors influencing visual outcome after penetrating keratoplasty combined with intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE: To establish which factors influence visual outcome after penetrating keratoplasty combined with intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: This retrospective noncomparative clinical interventional case series study included 135 consecutive patients (mean age 70.2 +/- 13.6 years) who underwent central penetrating allogenic keratoplasty combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, all operated by the same surgeon. There were 79 triple procedures, 33 keratoplasties combined t with an exchange of OL, and 23 penetrating keratoplasties combined with a secondary implantation of posterior chamber lens. Mean follow-up was 28.3 +/- 18.7 months (range 3.3-112 months). Reasons for keratoplasty were herpetic or traumatic corneal scars or defects (46), Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy (22), pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy (49), corneal endothelial decompensation due to other reasons (15), and keratoconus (3). Main outcome measures were postoperative visual acuity and agin in visual acuitvy RESULTS: Mean postoperative visual acuity and mean gain in visual acuity were 0.33 +/- 0.21 (median 0.30) and 0.25 +/- 0.20 (median 0.20), respectively. Compared with the preoperative measurements, mean visual acuity increased in 129 patients (129 /135, 95.6%). Factors influencing postoperative visual outcome and gain in visual acuity were preoperative visual acuity (p < 0.005), reason for keratoplasty (p < 0.005), and diameter of the graft (p = 0.046). ostoperative visual outcome was independent of age, sex, right or left eye, presence of diabetes mellitus, preoperative refractive error, length of follow-up, duration of surgery, and preoperative intraocular pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The most important factors influencing visual outcome after central penetrating allogenic keratoplasty combined with IOL surgery are preoperative visual acuity, graft size, and reason for keratoplasty. Other factors such as age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and preoperative refractive error do not substantially influence postoperative visual outcome.     

Indications for penetrating keratoplasty in west Malaysia

AIM: To determine the indications for penetrating keratoplasty in Malaysia and to compare the leading indications with recently published data from other countries. · METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty at Medical Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia over a period of fifteen years (1991/2005) was done. The gender, age, race of patients, eye operated, indication for surgery were noted from the records, and analyzed. · RESULTS: A total of 125 penetrating keratoplasties were performed in 105 patients (male 71 and female 34; Chinese 55, Indians 33, and Malays 17; unilateral 85 and bilateral 20) during the study period. The mean age of patients was 51.3 years (range 13-79 years). The indications for penetrating keratoplasty were pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (28.8%), corneal scar (20.0%), keratoconus (17.6%), regrafts (9.6%), corneal dystrophies (8.8%) and corneal perforations (7.2%). · CONCLUSION: Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy is the most common indication for penetrating keratoplasty in Malaysia. The three leading indications (pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, corneal scar and keratoconus) in our study are similar to many countries in the world, but they differ in the order of frequency from some countries.     

马来西亚西部穿透性角膜移植术的适应证

目的:探讨马来西亚穿透性角膜移植术的适应证,并将其最主要的适应证和其它国家近期出版的数据相比较。方法:对1991/2005年15a期间在马来西亚吉隆坡马来亚大学医学中心接受穿透性角膜移植术的所有患者的医学资料进行回顾性研究。患者的性别、年龄、种族、术眼及手术适应证被纳入研究分析的范围。结果:共有105例(125眼)进行了穿透性角膜移植术的患者(男71例,女34例;中国人55例,印度人33例,马来西亚人17例;单眼85只,双眼20只)纳入本次研究。患者平均年龄51.3(13～79)a。穿透性角膜移植术的适应证由主到次分别为:人工晶状体植入术后大泡性角膜病变(28.8%),角膜疤痕(20.0%),圆锥角膜(17.6%),再移植(9.6%),角膜营养不良(8.8%),角膜穿孔(7.2%)。结论:在马来西亚穿透性角膜移植术最常见的适应证是人工晶状体植入术后大泡性角膜病变。在我们的研究中,穿透性角膜移植术的三大适应证是人工晶状体植入术后大泡性角膜病变、角膜疤痕和圆锥角膜,这与世界上很多国家都是类似的,但与一些国家适应证的发生率排序不同。     

Systemic mycophenolate mofetil in comparison with systemic cyclosporin A in high-risk keratoplasty patients: 3 years' results of a randomized prospective clinical trial

BACKGROUND: With the use of systemic cyclosporin A (CsA), graft prognosis after high-risk penetrating keratoplasty has improved considerably. However, the application of CsA is limited owing to a variety of severe side effects. In this prospectively randomized study mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a safe and efficient immunosuppressive medication after renal transplantation, was compared with CsA after high-risk penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: Twenty-nine high-risk keratoplasty patients were treated with MMF 2x 1 g daily; another 27 patients received CsA, aiming at blood trough levels of 120-150 ng/ml. Systemic immunosuppression was scheduled for 6 months. In both groups oral corticosteroids (fluocortolone 1 mg/kg) were administered for 3 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: During the first year after operation, no graft failure was recorded. Two years postoperatively 92%/82% and 3 years postoperatively 74%/69% of grafts were clear in the MMF and CsA group, respectively (Kaplan Meier P=0.33, logrank test). In total, two graft failures were recorded in the MMF group and four in the CsA group. Three years postoperatively 53% of the grafts were rejection-free in the MMF group and 73% in the CsA group (Kaplan Meier P=0.46, log-rank test). Eight endothelial immune reactions were observed in the MMF group (three under systemic immunosuppression/five thereafter; six mild/two severe) and five in the CsA group (three under systemic immunosuppression/two thereafter; three mild/two severe). Side effects occurred in six patients under MMF and 11 under CsA. CONCLUSIONS: Concerning efficacy, no statistically significant difference between systemic MMF and systemic CsA administered for 6 months after high-risk penetrating keratoplasty could be shown. Systemic MMF was proven to be at least as safe as CsA. The main mechanism in improving graft survival is a shift from severe to milder endothelial immune reactions, as already demonstrated for CsA. Thus, MMF may become an alternative to CsA for immunosuppression after penetrating high-risk keratoplasty. About 2 years postoperatively, pharmacologically induced relative immunological tolerance slowly decreases. Therefore, long-term administration of systemic MMF should be evaluated in further studies.     

Penetrating keratoplasty in eyes with keratoconus and vernal keratoconjunctivitis

PURPOSE: To determine the prognosis of penetrating keratoplasty in eyes with keratoconus and vernal keratoconjunctivitis. METHODS: The medical records of all patients with keratoconus and vernal keratoconjunctivitis who underwent penetrating keratoplasty at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 1996 and for whom at least 24 months' follow-up is available were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 85 (61 males, 24 females) patients, 90 eyes met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 44.7 (range, 26-144) months. At the most recent follow-up visit, 83 (92.2%) grafts were clear. The mean best corrected visual acuity was 20/40. Graft rejection episodes occurred in 12 (13.3%) eyes, with irreversible graft failure occurring in 4 (4.4%) eyes. Bacterial keratitis occurred in 6 (7.7%) eyes, 2 (2.2%) of which developed irreversible graft failure. Herpes simplex keratitis resulted in irreversible graft failure in 1 (1.1%) eye. CONCLUSION: Penetrating keratoplasty in eyes with keratoconus and vernal keratoconjunctivitis has an excellent visual outcome and a low complication rate.     

Indications for corneal transplantation in New Zealand: 1991-1999

PURPOSE: To identify the indications for keratoplasty in patients supplied with donor tissue through the New Zealand National Eye Bank. METHODS: Analysis of penetrating and lamellar keratoplasty data collected by the New Zealand National Eye Bank, Auckland, from 1991 to 1999. RESULTS: In this 9-year period, donor material was supplied for 1370 corneal grafts; 1308 for penetrating keratoplasty, 26 for lamellar keratoplasty, and 36 for unspecified grafts. This accounts for a minimum of 85% of the penetrating keratoplasties performed in New Zealand from 1991 to 1999. The leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty were keratoconus (45.6%), pseudophakic or aphakic corneal edema (17.9%), regraft (8.7%), viral keratitis (7.3%), and trauma (5.5%). The average age of patients was 47.5 years (SD = 22.6) and age distribution was bimodal, with peaks in the 3rd and 8th decades. Keratoconus, regraft, and trauma were significantly more common as indicators for penetrating keratoplasty in male patients than female patients; however, pseudophakic or aphakic corneal edema was more common in female patients. CONCLUSION: The majority of transplantation surgery in New Zealand is performed using corneal tissue from the New Zealand National Eye Bank. In this representative study, keratoconus is the leading indicator for penetrating keratoplasty in New Zealand, accounting for a higher proportion than in any other published literature. The other indications, age distribution and gender differences correlate with previous reports. These findings suggest that keratoconus leading to transplantation may have increased prevalence in New Zealand.     

The French national waiting list for keratoplasty created in 1999: patient registration, indications, characteristics, and turnover

PURPOSE: To evaluate the French waiting list and the indications of registered patients, to compare the rates of registration, graft, and procurement between French regions. METHODS: In France, each patient with an indication for penetrating keratoplasty should be registered on the waiting list with his or her clinical characteristics. Those registered during 2000 and 2001 were included in the study. Data on transplantation activity from the waiting list were compared to data collected by a questionnaire on graft and procurement activities completed each year by medical teams. RESULTS: In 2000 and 2001, 6093 and 5505 waiting patients, respectively, were registered. For the same years, 3984 and 3457 keratoplasties were declared for the patients registered, but the questionnaires reported 4514 and 4388 grafts, respectively. The national registration rate was 96 per million population (pmp). The extreme values between regions ranged from 53 to 143 pmp. There was a significant correlation between regional procurement and transplantation rates (r=0.75, p=0.001) but not for registration and procurement rates, and not for registration and transplantation rates. The national registration rate was 27 pmp for pseudophakic and aphakic corneal edema, with extreme values of 12-64 pmp. The national registration rate was 24 pmp for keratoconus (11-37 pmp). A high patient turnover was observed between regions. Among the 11,598 patients registered, the most common indications were pseudophakic and aphakic corneal edema (27.7%), keratoconus (25.3%), and Fuchs'endothelial dystrophy (9.1%). Mean recipient age was 57+/-22 years (0-103 years). Among these patients, 14.1% had already received transplants at least once for the same eye (7.8% for keratoconus, 14.3% for pseudophakic and aphakic corneal edema, and 6.1% for Fuchs'dystrophy). DISCUSSION: Ophthalmologists will be able to register their patients directly on the waiting list, which will improve data quality for transplantation notification. Regional policies should be developed to decrease the inequalities of graft shortages between regions.     

Forty years of changing indications in penetrating keratoplasty in Israel

PURPOSE: To examine the leading indications for keratoplasty and identify the changing trends in the past 40 years in Israel. METHODS: Pathology reports of all penetrating keratoplasties (PKPs) performed at Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital from 1961 to 2000 were reviewed. We evaluated the indications for keratoplasty in each decade between the years 1961 and 2000. RESULTS: During the 40-year period, a total of 1681 PKPs were performed. Keratoconus (n = 478, 28.4%) was the most common indication, followed by graft failure (n = 226, 13.4%), pseudophakic corneal edema (PCE) (n = 142, 8.4%), herpetic infections (n = 125, 7.4%), nonherpetic infections (n = 114, 6.8%), scarring (n = 113, 6.7%), and trauma (n = 110, 6.5%). The 7 groups account for approximately 77.5% of all keratoplasties performed. Ocular infections were the most common indications before 1970 and have been declining ever since. Keratoconus became the leading indication in the past 30 years. In the past decade, of 663 keratoplasties, keratoconus was the most common indication (56, 38.6%) followed by graft failures/rejections and PCE (the second most common indication between the years 1981 and 1990). CONCLUSIONS: Keratoconus was the leading indication for keratoplasty in our series. There was a decreasing trend in PK for ocular herpetic infections during the decades. The rate of PCE decreased while failed graft became the second most common indication for PKP during the past decade.     

Non-immunologic factors of failure of penetrating keratoplasties. Prospective study of 119 corneal grafts at the Nantes Hospital Center in 1995

PURPOSE: A single-center prospective study was carried out in Nantes to evaluate corneal graft outcome, while immunosuppressive treatment was used topically or systemically, during the first year. METHODS: A cohort of 119 patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty between 1-1-95 and 31-XII-95. Systematic standardized exams were performed at 15 days, 1 month, 4 months, 6 months and 1 year. Grafts were obtained from organo-cultured corneas at +31 degrees C. Intraveinous methyl prednisolone was given at the time of the surgery in most cases (82%). Corticosteroid eye drops are used in all cases and systemic Cyclosporin A was given for high-risk rejection keratoplasties (29.5%). RESULTS: The clear graft rate at 1 year is 97% for keratoconus, 87.8% for bullous dystrophies and 80.7% for regrafts. The leading causes of graft failure are: graft rejection (25%), endothelial consequences of a non controlled elevated intra ocular pressure (25%) and ocular surface disorders (16%). Prevalence and management of elevated IOP (from 8% to 20%) and ocular surface disorders (from 18% to 43%) are reported over one year. CONCLUSION: This study points out the great frequency of elevated-IOP-related disorders and ocular surface diseases in corneal graft outcome. They must be tracked down and uncompromisingly treated before and after transplantation.