Retrocorneal fibrous membranes in failed corneal grafts.

Histopathologic slides from 170 failed grafts, excised between 1983 and 1990 were reviewed. The overall incidence of retrocorneal fibrous membrane was 54% (92 grafts). The incidence of diffuse (extensive) retrocorneal fibrous membrane was 17% (29 grafts) and that of focal (peripheral) retrocorneal fibrous membrane was 37% (63 grafts). A high correlation was found between the clinical presence of peripheral anterior synechiae or vitreous adherent to the wound and the finding of retrocorneal fibrous membrane in aphakic and pseudophakic failed corneal grafts. A high correlation was also found between tube-shunt operation and the presence of diffuse retrocorneal fibrous membrane. Sixteen of 63 (25%) regrafted failed grafts, that is second grafts, with focal retrocorneal fibrous membranes failed within 18 months following surgery. Thirteen of 29 (45%) regrafted failed grafts with diffuse retrocorneal fibrous membrane failed within the same period and 11 of these (85%) were associated with tube-shunt surgery.