ABO Blood groups and corneal transplantation.

A study of 150 corneal donor-recipient grafts, examined for ABO type, revealed that 25% of the grafts were from corneas from incompatible donors. Recipients with histocompatible sensitization exposures such as prior corneal transplant, one or more pregnancies, or one or more blood transfusions were no more likely to experience graft failure if the graft were from an ABO incompatible donor than from a compatible donor. Of 13 graft failures (8%), three of the failed grafts were from AB donors, a significant result. No detrimental effect of transplanting across the ABO barrier could be proven with assurance for any parameter.