Abstract

Study Design: Retrospective interventional case series.
Purpose: To describe long term outcome of corneal transplants in children.
Methods: Study included 213 eyes of 178 children who underwent PKP and 35 DALK. All children underwent a complete eye examination and systemic workup. Surgery was performed as soon as the child was fit for GA.
Results: Indications included anterior segment dysgenesis 51, (Peter’s, sclerocornea, dermoid), CHED 8, and corneal opacity with glaucoma 27. The other indications were keratoconus (34), corneal opacity (57), HSV 17 and opaque graft (190. Of 178 PKP eyes 132 were clear and 46 were opaque at a mean follow-up of 46.24 (6-236) months. 114 (64%) eyes achieved 6/60 or better visual acuity. Post PKP patients had globe rupture in 4, graft rejection in 32, infective keratitis in 17 and post PKP glaucoma in 13 eyes. In 35 DALK visual acuity ranged from 4/60 to 6/9.
Conclusion: Favorable long term outcome of PKP could be achieved, however DALK is a safer.

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