Penetrating keratoplasty in patients with atopic dermatitis with and without systemic cyclosporin A

Clinical experience suggests that atopic dermatitis is a considerable risk factor in penetrating keratoplasty. The scientific evidence, however, has been equivocal. Systemic cyclosporin A reduces the threat of immune reactions and simultaneously improves atopic dermatitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate to what extent and for how long systemic cyclosporin A improves graft prognosis in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Between November 1986 and July 1994, 173 penetrating keratoplasties were performed on keratoconus patients without skin disease (I). Fifteen penetrating keratoplasties were performed on patients with keratoconus associated with slight atopic dermatitis (II), 24 on patients with keratoconus associated with severe atopic dermatitis (III), and 13 on patients with keratitis in atopic dermatitis but without keratoconus (IV). Systemic cyclosporin A was administered for at least 6 months in groups III and IV. Clear graft survival was estimated according to Kaplan and Meier, and statistical significance was evaluated via log-rank test.

Six months/6 years postoperatively 99.5 and 96.5% (I), 80 and 80% (II), 96 and 83.2% (III), and 100 and 65.8% (IV) of the grafts were clear. Only the differences between the survival curve of group I and the curves of each of groups II-IV were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

To our knowledge, this is the first study proving that atopic dermatitis with and without keratoconus deteriorates graft prognosis statistically significantly. The application of systemic cyclosporin A improves graft prognosis in atopic dermatitis as long as the drug is applied, and this effect slowly fades thereafter.