Therapeutic keratoplasty for active herpetic corneal disease: viral culture and prognosis.

Data are presented on a 5-year follow-up of 23 patients with active herpetic corneal disease, who underwent lamellar or penetrating corneal grafts. Excised corneal buttons were virologically examined and positive herpes simplex virus was found in 7 cases. The prognosis of these 7 cases was particularly grave. For comparison 23 cases are reported of patients with inactive herpetic corneal disease. Causes of failure in both groups are discussed.