Corneal transplantation in children.

The main purpose of the study was to describe the surgical success rate and visual results of penetrating keratoplasty in children. This retrospective study included children that underwent corneal transplantation at the Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital "Sveti Duh", in the period 1994-1999. Patients' age ranged from 6 to 16 years. Twenty-five corneal transplants were performed in 24 eyes. Corneal pathologies were corneal leucoma, congenital dystrophy, corneal combustion, corneal scar after perforating injury, keratoconus, corneal melting, hematocornea and rekeratoplasty. The follow-up period was at least 6 months. The rate of graft survival was 1 year in 75% of eyes with congenital dystrophy and keratoconus. Hematocornea and rekeratoplasty ended with graft failure. Postoperative visual acuity improvement was recorded in 14 out of 25 eyes. Penetrating keratoplasty in children showed very good surgical success. The final visual outcome was affected by irreversible amblyopia.