Trends in keratoplasty from central and Northern India. Part I: Indications for keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To report the indications for keratoplasty and analyze trends in two decades in India. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of eye bank registries of six tertiary eye care centers located in central and northern India from 2005 to 2021. The patterns of corneal pathology and changes in trends were analyzed. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2021, 13223 corneal grafts were performed in the six collaborating tertiary eye care centers. The most common indication for keratoplasty in both decades was corneal ulcer (41.1%), followed by corneal scar (25.5%), failed graft (12.0%), post-cataract surgery corneal edema (11.7%), corneal dystrophies (3.1%), corneal ectasia (1.8%), corneal trauma (0.3%), congenital corneal opacity (0.3%), and others (4.1%). An increasing trend was seen in corneal ulcers, failed grafts, and keratoconus. A reducing trend was seen in corneal scar and aphakic bullous keratopathy. There was no change in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. CONCLUSION: Corneal ulcers, corneal scars, failed grafts, and post-cataract surgery corneal edema remained the foremost indications for keratoplasty in two decades in India. An increasing trend was seen in corneal ulcers and failed grafts which are of concern as these indications carry a poorer outcome. Capacity building in lamellar keratoplasty techniques is the need of the hour as pseudophakic bullous keratopathy was an important indication, and an increasing trend was noticed in keratoconus.

Endothelial failure after collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and UV-A: case report with literature review.

PURPOSE: To report a case of endothelial decompensation after a collagen cross-linking (CXL) procedure for keratoconus. METHODS: An 18-year-old boy had CXL for keratoconus in the right eye. He developed keratouveitis with generalized corneal edema seen 3 weeks after the procedure. Polymerase chain reaction for aqueous humor Herpes simplex virus was negative. The patient was treated with topical steroids. Specular microscopy revealed mildly reduced density of endothelial cells. On follow-up to 6 months, corneal edema increased with the formation of epithelial bullae. Penetrating keratoplasty was performed. Possible causes for this complication are discussed. RESULTS: Clinical and histopathological analyses revealed generalized loss of endothelial cells along with signs of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is considered very safe, collagen CXL can cause severe keratouveitis and endothelial failure.