INDICATIONS FOR PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY - A 10-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF 1,129 CASES (1982-1991)

Purpose To analyze the indications or the penetrating keratoplasties which were conducted in the Bordeaux University Hospital over the 1982-1991 period and to compare these findings with those of previously published studies. Methods The histopathological study of 1129 corneal buttons was analyzed according to conventional methods in the Histopathology Department Pellegrin Hospital. Results The main indications for penetrating keratoplasty were (in decreasing order of frequency) : pseudophakic or aphakic corneal oedema (28.7%), keratoconus (12.1%), regrafts (11.1%) and corneal scars (10.7%). Less frequent indications for penetrating keratoplasty included Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (7.8%); corneal trauma (7.3%) and herpes (7.2%). Ophthalmological conditions requiring penetrating keratoplasty fall into six groups of unequal size : 1) corneal oedema (28.7%); 2) keratitis (26%); 3) dystrophies (23.2%; 4) graft failures (11.1%); 5) trauma and chemical burns (8%) and 6) miscellaneous (2.9%). Conclusion The authors emphasize the importance of studying histologically the corneal buttons after penetrating ina keratoplasty. Corneal oedema after cataract surgery is shown, based on the data presented to be the main indication for penetrating keratoplasty.