To evaluate the leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and their trends in Greece during the period 1982 to 2006.
Retrospective data review of 1,929 patients (2233 eyes) who underwent PKP in the period between 1982 and 2006 at three cornea transplantation units of three hospitals in Greece (Athens General Hospital, Heraklion University Hospital of Crete, and Thessaloniki University Hospital). Indications were classified into nine different groups: keratoconus, herpes simplex keratitis, microbial (nonviral) keratitis (fungal, bacterial, and acanthamoeba), aphakic/pseudophakic corneal edema, posttraumatic corneal scars, chemical/thermal injury, regraft, Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, and other.
The leading indications for PKP, in order of decreasing frequency, were aphakic/pseudophakic corneal edema (n = 649 [29.1%]), keratoconus (n = 580 [26%]), regraft (n = 265 [11.9%]), microbial (nonviral) keratitis (n = 188 [8.4%]), posttraumatic corneal scar (n = 171 [7.7%]), herpes simplex keratitis (n = 104 [4.6%]), Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (n = 104 [4.6%]), chemical/thermal injury (n = 61 [2.7%]), and other (n = 111 [5%]). The prevalence of regrafts as an indication for PKP increased during the study period.
Aphakic/pseudophakic corneal edema was the most common indication for PKP in a multicenter series in Greece followed by keratoconus. The number of regrafts dramatically increased during the 25-year period.