Indications for Penetrating Keratoplasty in Iran; 1994-2004

To determine the indications for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in Iran over an 11-year period. All eye bank records of patients who underwent PK from 1994 to 2004 at ophthalmologic centers throughout Iran were reviewed. 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. Keratoconus is the most common indication for penetrating keratoplasty in Iran.