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Corneal transplant yields good visual recovery in children with keratoconus
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SAN FRANCISCO — Corneal transplant surgery in pediatric patients with keratoconus resulted in good visual recovery, according to a physician here.
“Keratoconus is the most common reason for corneal transplant surgery in older children between the ages of 12 and 18; interestingly, however, there are very few reports in the literature on the long-term results of corneal transplant surgery in children with keratoconus,” Gerald W. Zaidman, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Gerald W. Zaidman
In a retrospective chart review, 26 eyes of 21 pediatric patients with keratoconus who had undergone corneal transplant surgery were analyzed. Fourteen patients were boys, and seven were girls.
Eighty-six percent of patients had bilateral disease. Five of these patients had bilateral penetrating keratoplasty.
Six eyes had hydrops, with one patient having bilateral hydrops.
Eyes without hydrops before surgery had an average best corrected visual acuity of 20/80, ranging from 20/30 to counting fingers, Zaidman said.
Ninety-six percent of eyes had clear grafts.
The incidence of graft rejection was 50%; however, 92% fully responded to treatment.
“Children with keratoconus will do well with corneal transplant surgery, but there is a high incidence for graft rejections, most of which are reversible but the children have to be monitored for that,” Zaidman said.
Disclosure: Zaidman has no relevant financial disclosures.