Trends in the indications for penetrating keratoplasty, 1980-2001.
OBJECTIVE
To study the leading indications and changing trends for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) over the past 3 decades.


METHODS
This is a retrospective review of 696 cases of PK. The indications for PKs performed at the Duke University Eye Center during the years 1980-1981, 1990- 1991, and 2000-2001 were tabulated to determine trends over the past 3 decades. The main outcome measures were indications for PK.


RESULTS
During this study, 696 PKs were performed. The leading indications for PK and their respective frequencies during 1980-1981, 1990-1991, and 2000-2001 were failed grafts (10.8%, 19.0%, 27.0%, respectively), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK)/aphakic bullous keratopathy (ABK) (19.4%, 20.6%, 16.7%, respectively), Fuchs dystrophy (15.6%, 13.0%, 23.8%, respectively), keratoconus (13.4%, 8.2%, 11.8%, respectively), and corneal scar (7.0%, 8.9%, 10.7%, respectively). The number of PKs for failed grafts and Fuchs dystrophy increased over time.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, failed graft has gradually become the leading indication for PK, whereas most other studies have reported PBK as the leading indication. Unlike many other studies, Fuchs dystrophy was a common indication for PK.
Kang
Paul C
PC
Duke University Eye Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Klintworth
Gordon K
GK
Kim
Terry
T
Carlson
Alan N
AN
Adelman
Ron
R
Stinnett
Sandra
S
Afshari
Natalie A
NA
D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000639:trends*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies