Clinical Evaluations of Recurrence after Keratoplasty in Herpes Simplex Keratitis

ABSTRACT

We conducted a retrospective study of 30 penetrating keratoplasties (30 patients) for corneal opacity due to herpes simplex keratitis from Jan. 1980 to Dec. 1989 at St. Mary's Hospital. The follow-up periods ranged from 1.3 years to 11 years (mean; 4.8 years). Overall, 23 out of the 30 transplants (76.7%) remained clear grafted cornea and 18 eyes (60%) achieved good to excellent visual acuities (0.3 or better). Herpes simplex keratitis was inactive at the time of corneal transplantation in 27 eyes (90%) and the recurrent rate after surgery was 18.5%. Patients with active ulceration or perforation, had particularly poor success rates. The overall rate of recurrent herpetic keratitis after transplantation for herpes was 26.6% Preoperative corneal neovascularization was not a statistically significant prognostic factor with regard to final visual outcome, graft clarity, graft rejection or recurrent herpetic keratitis.