Recurrence of the clinical signs of lattice corneal dystrophy (type I) in corneal transplants.

Lattice corneal dystrophy (type I) is characterized by branching stromal lattice figures, white subepithelial opacities, and anterior stromal haze. Corneal transplantation is often required to restore the vision of patients with lattice corneal dystrophy. Our retrospective study of 61 penetrating keratoplasties in 39 patients with lattice corneal dystrophy found clinical signs of lattice corneal dystrophy in 29 transplants (48%) after periods ranging from three to 26 years. Subepithelial opacities or anterior stromal haze or both were the most common signs of recurrence. Lattice figures appeared in only one graft. Regrafting was necessary to restore vision in eight cases (15%) in which primary corneal transplantation had been performed for this condition.