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Primary graft failure associated with epithelial downgrowth: a case report
Anthony J Aldave1, David A Hollander, Bruno Branco
1Department of Ophthalmology, The University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. aldave@jsei.ucla.edu
BMC Ophthalmology
|May 27, 2005
Summary
This case study details primary graft failure (PGF) in corneal transplantation linked to epithelial cell ingrowth. The ingrowth likely followed, rather than caused, the graft failure, offering insights into rare ocular surgery complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Surgical Complications
- Corneal Transplantation
Background:
- Epithelial downgrowth is a rare ocular surgery complication.
- Its association with primary graft failure (PGF) is seldom reported.
- This study investigates PGF linked to retrocorneal epithelial cell ingrowth.
Observation:
- A patient undergoing penetrating keratoplasty for Fuchs' dystrophy developed PGF.
- Histopathology revealed epithelial cells on the posterior cornea and absent endothelial cells.
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA testing was negative.
Findings:
- This is the second reported case of PGF associated with posterior corneal epithelialization.
- Epithelial ingrowth was observed to develop subsequent to endothelial cell loss and PGF.
- The patient showed no recurrence of epithelial ingrowth after a repeat transplant.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare cause of primary corneal graft failure.
- Understanding the sequence of events in PGF is crucial for surgical outcomes.
- Further research may elucidate mechanisms of epithelial ingrowth post-keratoplasty.