Penetrating keratoplasty: changing indications, 1947 to 1978.

Corneal buttons submitted to the Estelle Doheny Eye Foundation from 1947 through 1978 were studied. According to a study of 710 corneal specimens processed during 31 years, the leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty were aphakic bullous keratopathy, regrafts, keratoconus, and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Intraocular lenses were associated with 22% of all specimens of aphakic bullous keratopathy in 1974, increasing to 68% of all aphakic bullous keratopathy corneas in 1978. Histopathologic appearance of aphakic bullous keratopathy corneas with or without an intraocular lens was similar.