Center and Surgeon Effect on Outcomes of Endothelial Keratoplasty Versus Penetrating Keratoplasty in the United Kingdom

Abstract

We read with interest the recent study by Greenrod and associates 1 Greenrod E.B. Jones M.N.A. Kaye S. Larkin D.F.P. Center and surgeon effect on outcomes of endothelial keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in the United Kingdom. Am J Ophthalmol. 2014; 158: 957-966 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (59) Google Scholar assessing corneal graft outcomes from the United Kingdom (UK) transplant registry. We took particular note of the finding that endothelial keratoplasty (EK) survival was poorer in older donors aged over 75 years and in donors with baseline endothelial cell densities (ECD) less than 2400 cells/mm2. The impact of donor characteristics, including age and ECD, on EK survival has not been fully established, but this and other recent reports 2 Hesham N. Schultze R.L. Impact of donor characteristics on 2-year Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty outcomes in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Cornea. 2015; 34: 6-10 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar suggest the role may be significant. Center and Surgeon Effect on Outcomes of Endothelial Keratoplasty versus Penetrating Keratoplasty in the United KingdomAmerican Journal of OphthalmologyVol. 158Issue 5PreviewTo compare national outcomes of endothelial keratoplasty (EK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) during comparable 6-year periods. Full-Text PDF ReplyAmerican Journal of OphthalmologyVol. 160Issue 2PreviewDrs Fajgenbaum and Hollick indicate an important difference between donor corneas used in corneal transplantation in the United Kingdom and the United States: the age at cornea donation. Full-Text PDF