Long-term outcomes of corneal patch grafts

To evaluate long‑term outcomes of corneal patch grafting (CPG) and to determine prognostic factors for anatomical and functional success. This retrospective study included 35 eyes from 35 patients who underwent CPG between April 2016 and September 2022 at Adana City Training and Research Hospital. Collected data included age, sex, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), graft localization and size, anterior segment findings, graft survival, secondary surgical procedures, and rates of anatomical and functional success. Anatomical success was achieved in 82.9% (29/35), and functional success in 45.7% (16/35). The most common reason for CPG was non-infectious, non-traumatic perforation related to immune disorders (37.1%). Anatomical success was not significantly associated with the primary etiology (p = 0.73), whereas functional success was significantly higher in patients with traumatic corneal perforations (p = 0.029). A statistically significant improvement was observed in postoperative BCVA for the study group (p < 0.001). Functional success was significantly associated with younger age and peripheral graft location (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Smaller graft diameter was significantly correlated with both higher anatomical and functional success (p = 0.031 and p = 0.007, respectively), while no significant association was found with horizontal graft diameter (p = 0.27 and p = 0.068, respectively). Corneal patch grafting is a highly effective technique for restoring anatomical integrity in most patients and provides acceptable functional outcomes in selected cases. Younger age, peripheral graft location, and smaller graft diameter appear to be favorable prognostic factors for functional recovery.