The Clinical Results of Penetrating Keratoplasty after Corneal Alkali Burn

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study was made for 12 penetrating keratoplasties (9 patients) for corneal opacity due to severe corneal alkali burn from January 1987 to December 1991 at St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. 5 eyes which received penetrating keratoplasty within a year after alkali burn have never improved in visual acuity, but 3 out of 7 eyes which received penetrating keratoplasty after a year obtained improved visual acuity during the follow up period of 6 months After keratoplasty, the corrected visual acuity of 11 out of the 12 transplants (91.7%) were temporary improved in comparision with the preoperative levels. But 3 eyes (27.2%) have kept improved visual acuity during the follow up period of 6 months. The relationship between preoperative corneal scarring type according to Kinoshita and Manabe's classification and postoperative corneal transparency was reviewed; 3 among 6 eyes with scarring type A have kept clear cornea, but all of 6 eyes with scarring type B were noted to have .opaque cornea during the follow up period of 6 months.