[The practicability of HLA matching]

The unpredictability of the expected time on the waiting list has been the main barrier towards broad acceptance of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching in clinical routine. An algorithm for predicting the expected time on the waiting list for a histocompatible graft was recently introduced. This algorithm allows for the balancing waiting time against improvement in prognosis on an individual basis. HLAMatchmaker is a new method for identifying HLA mismatches with minor immunogenicity. This method is a valuable tool for providing patients who have a rare HLA phenotype with a histocompatible graft. In summary, new methods are now available that make histocompatibility in penetrating keratoplasty possible in almost all cases.