Purpose: To compare the time necessary for complete epithelial healing after penetrating keratoplasty carried out for various corneal dystrophies.
Methods: In a retrospective single-center study, 679 eyes that underwent nonmechanical keratoplasty were evaluated concerning postoperative epithelial healing time. On the basis of corneal pathology, the eyes were divided into 5 groups: group 1, lattice dystrophy (n = 9); group 2, macular dystrophy (n = 16); group 3, Fuchs dystrophy (n = 207); group 4, granular dystrophy (n = 13); group 5, keratoconus (n = 434). After keratoplasty, the time necessary for complete healing of the epithelial defect was compared among the groups.
Results: In lattice dystrophy, 22% showed delayed healing, in contrast to 0% in granular dystrophy. Mean time necessary for healing in group 1 (8.8 +/- 9.4 days) was significantly longer than in group 2 (2.5 +/- 2.5 days, P = 0.003), group 3 (4.4 +/- 4.1 days, P = 0.09), group 4 (2.2 +/- 1.4 days, P = 0.003), and group 5 (3.1 +/- 2.7 days, P = 0.005).
Conclusions: In patients with lattice dystrophy, delayed epithelial healing after penetrating keratoplasty may be anticipated. Patients should be counseled accordingly.