[Results of 35 keratoplasties following corneal injuries]

We have performed 40 keratoplasties in 35 eyes presenting with corneal wounds. These injuries follow accidents of which the most frequent are:--metallic foreign bodies;--windscreen. The following results have been obtained after these grafts;--49 p. 100 success;--51 p. 100 failure. In fact 51 p. 100 of the eyes did not benefit from a satisfactory functional result despite the fact that the graft remained clear in 63 p. 100. Our failures are due to two principle complications: cataract and its subsequent surgical management in 28 out of 35 cases, and detachment of the retina in 3 out of 35 cases. The remaining failures are related to the usual complications of other keratoplasties. These keratoplasties are special since a contussion of the posterior pole is often associated with the corneal wound. The indications for these grafts cannot wait until an accurate assessment of the state of the posterior segment is possible, and this is why these grafts are special and why there should be reservations on the prediction of the final visual result. Keratoplasty however remains the only hope for visual recovery and in children the only means of preventing the development of definite amblyopia. Nevertheless in children the prognosis remains the most pessmistic (4 failures out of 5 cases in children under 10).