Table 5.
Reasons for graft failure in the first 15 years after penetrating keratoplasty
| Reason | No. (%) |
|---|---|
| Late endothelial failure* | 22† (29) |
| Irreversible rejection | 19 (25) |
| Primary donor failure | 11 (14) |
| Infection | 8 (11) |
| Epithelial downgrowth | 2 (3) |
| Pupillary block | 2 (3) |
| Herpes simplex virus | 1 (1) |
| Others | 11 (14) |
| Total | 76‡ (100) |
*
Late endothelial failure was defined as a gradual decrease in central graft clarity of unknown etiology, unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy, and not associated with a recent episode of graft rejection.
†
Ten of 11 graft failures between 5 and 10 years after surgery, and six of eight graft failures between 10 and 15 years after surgery, were caused by late endothelial failure.
‡
The total number of known graft failures from the entire series over the first 15 years.