Draining pus from the cornea

Thirteen patients with varying grades of suppurative keratitis were studied with regard to their response to keratoplasty. In all patients there was a rapid improvement in symptoms and signs. In eight of the 13 there was restoration at least of previous function: one patient lost all vision due to secondary closed-angle glaucoma, because he refused further surgery. Corneal graft opacification occurred in three eyes; one other became partially opaque; whilst in a fourth, the lamellar graft remained clear while the original autograft failed. At last follow-up, all eyes were normotensive and free of symptoms. Keratoplasty should assume an important part of the management of suppurative keratitis, from both theoretical and practical considerations.