Traumatic wound dehiscence after penetrating keratoplasty.

Twelve cases of traumatic wound dehiscence occurred in ten patients after penetrating keratoplasty. Nine of the ten patients were males between the ages of 11 and 44 years. Ten of the 12 traumatic wound ruptures occurred with the sutures in place. Final visual acuity was better than 6/60 in only four patients. The grafts have remained clear in six of the ten patients, while one patient awaits a regraft. Four patients required repeat keratoplasty. The primary cause of visual failure was damage to the retina and posterior segment. the importance of protecting the eye after corneal transplantation is stressed.