Therapeutic keratoplasty using preserved corneas from keratoconus eyes.

PURPOSE To report and discuss cases of lamellar keratoplasty using corneas obtained during previous penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus eyes. METHODS Corneal buttons were obtained from 7 keratoconus patients and stored in a preserving solution for 7-60 days (average, 32.4 days) before use. The recipient eyes comprised recurrent pterygium 3 eyes, primary pterygium 1 eye, pseudopterygium 1 eye, corneal perforation with iris prolapse due to fungal corneal ulcer 1 eye, and limbal dermoid 1 eye. RESULTS The recipient eyes ran favorable courses in general. Graft rejection developed in 2 eyes and was successfully treated with topical and systemic corticosteroid. CONCLUSIONS Preserved corneas from keratoconus eyes were found useful in therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty. By this procedure, the current inadequate supply of donor corneas in eye banks in Japan can be augmented.