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Corneal transplant indications differ in Nepal from Western countries

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Penetrating keratoplasty is a successful and reasonable way to reduce corneal blindness in developing nations, although the diseases and indications for the procedure are different from those in developed countries, according to a retrospective study.

Geoffrey Tabin, MD, and colleagues reviewed 472 consecutive cases of penetrating keratoplasty performed in 408 patients in Nepal from 1994 to 1999. The mean age of graft recipients was 39.2 years. Main indications for penetrating keratoplasty were corneal scar (37%), adherent leukoma (35%), perforation or impending perforation (9%), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (6%), keratoconus (4%) and aphakic bullous keratopathy.

At 6 months, 65% of available grafts were clear; 70% were clear at 3 years. If the grafts failed, endothelial failure (43%), increased IOP (15%), ulcer (14%) and trauma (7%) were the leading causes.

The study is published in the August issue of Cornea.