Corneal transplantation in children

The main purpose of the study was to describe the surgical success rate and visual results of penetrating keratoplasty in children. This retrospective study included children that underwent corneal transplantation at the Depa rtment of Ophthalmology, General Hospital "Sveti Duh", in the period 1994-1 999. Patients' age ranged from 6 to 16 years. Twenty-five corneal transplan ts were performed in 24 eyes. Corneal pathologies were corneal leucoma, con genital dystrophy, corneal combustion, corneal scar after perforating injur y, keratoconus, corneal melting, hematocornea and rekeratoplasty. The follo w-up period was at least 6 months. The rate of graft survival was 1 year in 75% of eyes with congenital dystrophy and keratoconus. Hematocornea and re keratoplasty ended with graft failure. Postoperative visual acuity improvem ent was recorded in 14 out of 25 eyes. Penetrating keratoplasty in children showed very good surgical success. The final visual outcome was affected b y irreversible amblyopia.