TRAUMATIC WOUND DEHISCENCE AFTER PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY

Background: Traumatic wound dehiscence after penetrating keratoplasty is probably underestimated. Patients: From the files of the University Eye Hospital Tubingen (1981-1993), 15 patients with a traumatic wound dehiscence after penetrating keratoplasty were investigated. Results: Latency between corneal grafting and wound rupture ranged from 1 mont h to 25 years (mean 6.2 years). Wound dehiscence was quite evenly dist ributed over the circle. Intraocular tissue was lost to a variable ext ent. Three eyes were primarily or secondarily enucleated. Seven eyes ( 47%) with an originally reduced but useful vision became blind or were removed. Most (67%) of the resutured grafts lost transparency. Conclu sions: Traumatic wound dehiscence is a serious and not very rare compl ication after penetrating keratoplasty. Functional results are poor.