Recurrence of macular corneal dystrophy after lamellar keratoplasty

A 20-year-old man required bilateral lamellar keratoplasties for macular corneal dystrophy. Histochemical proof of macular corneal dystrophy was demonstrated in both of the excised lamellar corneal buttons. Eleven years later, the patient underwent a penetrating kiratoplasty in his left eye. Light microscopic, histochemical, and electron microscopic study of the excised button disclosed characteristic features of macular corneal dystrophy in the donor cornea. Recurrence of macular corneal dystrophy in a corneal graft appeared to be the result of replacement of the donor keratocytes by genetically defective host cells.