The value of corneal transplantation in reducing blindness

Abstract

Purpose To analyse the role of keratoplasty in reducing world blindness due to corneal diseases. Methods Review of published literature. We collected and analysed articles published in the English language literature related to the prevalence and causes of blindness in different parts of the world, causes of corneal blindness, and outcome of corneal transplantation for various corneal diseases. Results A total of 80% of the world's blind live in developing countries. Retinal diseases are the most important causes of blindness (40-54%) in established economy nations while cataract (44-60%) and corneal diseases (8-25%) are the most common causes of blindness in countries with less developed economies. Keratitis during childhood, trauma, and keratitis during adulthood resulting in a vascularized corneal scar and adherent leucoma are the most frequent causes of corneal blindness in developing countries. Corneal diseases are responsible for 20% of childhood blindness. Nearly 80% of all corneal blindness is avoidable. The outcome of keratoplasty for vascularized corneal scar and adherent leucoma is unsatisfactory, necessitating repeat surgery in a high proportion of these cases. Other barriers for keratoplasty in these nations are suboptimal eye banking, lack of trained human resources, and infrastructure. Conclusions Since the developing world carries most of the load of corneal blindness and the major causes of corneal blindness are corneal scar and active keratitis, development of corneal transplantation services need a comprehensive approach encompassing medical standards in eye banking, training of cornea specialists and eye banking personnel and exposure of ophthalmologists to care of corneal transplants for better follow-up care. However, concerted efforts should be made to develop and implement prevention strategies since most corneal blindness is preventable.

Traumatic wound dehiscence after penetrating keratoplasty

“…[4,11,14,[16][17][18][19][20]22,23,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] In the present study, the most frequent PK indications were consistent with the general literature: corneal scar, keratoconus, leukoma, and bullous keratopathy. As these are most common indications for PK, [33] there are no definite data concerning the relationship between TWD and PK indications.…”

Etiological Study of Corneal Blindness

“…1 Corneal blindness is a leading cause of blindness in developing countries. 2 Worldwide, major investments in public health infrastructure and primary eye care services have built a strong foundation for treating and preventing future corneal blindness. According to the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) estimates, there are currently 120,000 corneal blind persons in the country and it is estimated that addition of 25,000-30,000 corneal blindness cases every year in the country.…”

Human Fetal Keratocytes Have Multipotent Characteristics in the Developing Avian Embryo

“…In the United States, the top ranking diseases requiring corneal transplantation are pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, Fuch's endothelial dystrophy, keratoconus, nonFuch's dystrophy, and corneal scarring [1]. In children, congenital corneal opacities are the most common indications for corneal transplantation.…”