[Keratoplasty in infancy and early childhood with special reference to the auto-rotation technique]

Between January 1987 and August 1990, a total of 20 keratoplasties were performed in infants and children in the University Eye Hospital, Düsseldorf, accounting for 4% of all keratoplasties during this period. The indications included malformations of the anterior segment and central corneal opacities, mostly of herpetic or microbial etiology. The ages of the patients varied from 2 weeks to 6 years, and the cases were followed up for an average of 2 years. Five (25%) were treated with the autorotation technique. Visual acuity after surgery was satisfactory, although an irregular astigmatism was found in three cases and one child eventually had to have a contact lens fitted. In view of our encouraging results we recommend that ipsilateral rotational autokeratoplasties should be considered more often for suitable forms of central corneal opacyty, particularly for infants and children.