[Endothelium microscopy studies following keratoplasty]

The quality of the endothelium in 15 patients with transplants after penetrating keratoplasty was analyzed. Donor age was not taken into account (average age of donors 65.8 years). At the time of the investigation the mean age of the grafts was comparatively high (oldest donor 92 years). There were only a few morphological changes in the endothelium and visual acuity was satisfactory. Even with low cell count (625/mm2) the graft had normal clarity. A number of pathologic changes in corneal endothelial cells after keratoplasty are described.