Penetrating keratoplasty in patients with corneal scarring due to trachoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Trachoma remains the leading cause of preventable corneal blindness. The outcome of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in these patients is usually poor because of the extensive corneal vascularization, adnexal and ocular surface problems. We evaluated the long-term results of PK in patients with corneal scarring due to trachoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The fiels of 16 eyes of 13 patients who underwent PK due to late sequel of trachoma were reviewed.

RESULTS

Preoperative visual acuity ranged from light perception to finger counting levels. Preoperatively, dry-eyes, meibomian gland dysfunction, trichiasis and cicatricial entropion were treated. Over a mean postoperative follow-up of 26.1 +/- 15.6 months (range of 14-61 months), eyes required redrafting due to graft rejection and failure, and corneal ulceration (12.5%). Fourteen eyes remained clear grafts (87.5%), and 13 eyes (81.3%) achieved 0.1 or better visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that although patients with corneal scarring due to trachoma are at high risk, PK may be helpful for visual rehabilitation.