Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To report the success and common causes for failure of penetrating keratoplasty in our series of stem cell transplant patients. Methods:A retrospective chart review of patients that underwent stem cell transplantation and subsequent PK was performed. Patients with insufficient records or with clear grafts, but less than 6 months follow up were excluded. Results:Of 134 eyes with stem cell transplantation, 91 eyes underwent subsequent PK and had greater than 6 months follow up; 8 eyes were excluded. Average follow up was 37 + 25 months (range 4–117). At most recent evaluation, 46 grafts (50.5%) were clear with an average follow up of 30 + 19 months (range 6–80). Forty–four grafts (48.4%) had failed and one graft (1.1%) was failing. Common causes of failure were stem cell failure or rejection (19 eyes, 42.2%), graft rejection (10 eyes, 22.2%), infectious keratitis of the graft (6 eyes, 13.3%), exposure and lid abnormalities (3 eyes, 6.7%) and unidentifiable causes (7 eyes, 15.6%). Average time to failure was 44 + 29 mos (range 4–117). Conclusions:Success of PK following stem cell transplantation is markedly improved over PK alone. Common causes of failure may be managed with early detection.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • cornea: epithelium