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Keratoconus changes recur years after graft procedures, study finds

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Recurrence of keratoconus characteristics was found in the donor buttons of patients who received corneal grafts years earlier for keratoconus, according to researchers. The reappearance of these characteristics may result from graft repopulation by the recipient’s keratocytes, by aging of the grafted tissue, or both, the researchers postulate.

Jean-Louis Bourges, MD, and colleagues in France and Israel retrospectively reviewed 12 corneal buttons from consecutive patients undergoing repeat penetrating keratoplasty (PK) 10 to 28 years after their initial PK for keratoconus.

Preoperative simulated keratometry ranged form 49.8 D to 66.1 D. A pattern compatible with keratoconus characteristics was observed in all cases. Analysis revealed Bowman’s layer disruption or folds and stromal deposits in all corneal buttons. Central corneal thinning was not present in any of the removed buttons.

The study is published in the October issue of Ophthalmology.