indications for penetrating keratoplasty in iran; 1994-2004

purpose: to determine the indications for penetrating keratoplasty (pk) in iran over an 11-year period. methods: all eye bank records of patients who underwent pk from 1994 to 2004 at ophthalmologic centers throughout iran were reviewed. results: during this 11-year period, a total of 19,668 cases were operated. the most common indication for penetrating keratoplasty was keratoconus (34.5%), followed by corneal opacity and scar (18.7%), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (9.2%), corneal dystrophies (6.5%), aphakic bullous keratopathy (6.1%), and regraft (5.3%). there was an increasing trend in rates of keratoconus and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and a decreasing trend in aphakic bullous keratopathy during this period. (p<0.001) no significant change of trend was noted in the corneal opacity and scar, regraft, and corneal dystrophy groups. conclusion: keratoconus is the most common indication for penetrating keratoplasty in iran.