Current indications and surgical approaches to corneal transplants at the University of Toronto: A clinical-pathological study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the most common reasons and surgical approaches for corneal graft surgery at the Kensington Eye Institute (KEI), University of Toronto. DesignRetrospective cross-sectional study. ParticipantsA total of 229 consecutive corneal transplants performed at the KEI. MethodsDemographic, clinical, and pathological data on all 2012 and 2013 corneal transplants were collected. ResultsThe mean age for corneal transplants was 65 ± 16 years; 39% were full-thickness penetrating keratoplasties (PK) and 61% were partial-thickness. Graft failure (30%), infection (18%), and keratoconus (17%) were the leading indications for PK. Fuchs’ dystrophy (40%) and bullous keratopathy (24%) were main causes for partial-thickness procedures. Among partial-thickness approaches, Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), and Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) procedures accounted for 68%, 16%, and 16%, respectively. Fuchs’ dystrophy (40%) and bullous keratopathy (33%) were the most common indications for DSAEK. Keratoconus (57%) and corneal scarring (35%) were the most common indications for DALK, whereas Fuchs’ dystrophy (82%) accounted for most DMEK procedures. The most common reasons for all corneal grafts were Fuchs’ dystrophy (25%), bullous keratopathy (21%), graft failure (17%), and keratoconus (12%). ConclusionsAlmost two-thirds of all corneal transplant procedures at the University of Toronto are partial thickness procedures. A failed graft was found to be the most common indication for full-thickness transplants. Fuchs’ dystrophy was the most common indication for a partial-thickness approach, most often treated by DSAEK. Longitudinal data are needed to determine whether partial-thickness surgeries will improve graft survival and reduce the need for regraft.