RECURRENCE AND REJECTION RATES FOLLOWING CORNEAL TRANSPLANTATION FOR HERPES-SIMPLEX KERATITIS

Seventy-two penetrating primary keratoplasties for herpes simplex kera titis performed from 1970 to 1993 were reviewed. Postoperative follow- up periods ranged from 6 months to 16 years with 2 years median. Epith elial herpetic recurrence occurred in 25% of the transplants the first year and in 44% during the first 2 years. Primary allograft rejection was observed in 29% of the grafts the first year and in 46% during th e first 2 years. Preoperative inflammation was a risk factor for prese rvation of a clear cornea (p < 0.10). The degree of corneal vasculariz ation prior to operation did not influence the survival of the grafts. The overall one-year survival rate of a clear graft was 84% and the 2 -year survival rate was 67%. Prophylactic antiviral treatment is discu ssed.