Chronic Endothelial Cell Loss in Transplanted Corneas

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Central endothelial photographs were taken preoperatively, 2 months postoperatively, and then yearly in 253 consecutive penetrating corneal transplants performed from 1976 to 1982. Eighty-six percent of the clear grafts at each postoperative interval over the 6-year period were examined. Cells were lost from the central endothelium at an average annual rate of 21% for 3 years after keratoplasty, with minimal cell loss thereafter. The following hypothesis is most consistent with these data: most endothelial cell damage occurs at the time of keratoplasty, with more cells lost from the peripheral graft and recipient cornea near the wound than from the central graft. Cells are “lost” from the central graft as they gradually move toward peripheral areas with larger cells; this slow process of cellular realignment, during which endothelial function is essentially normal, lasts for approximately 3 years.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: