Penetrating keratoplasty in Lesotho

Sixty-four Basotho patients underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty in Lesotho, a developing African nation. The overall long-term success rate of 60.7% was comparable to similar series in developed countries. Analysis of variables found to significantly affect graft outcome included size of graft, anterior segment pathology, postoperative iris adhesion to graft wound, and onset of graft rejection during hospitalization or after discharge. McCarey-Kaufman medium was found to be highly successful for corneal storage up to seven days, and corneal transplantation across racial lines was not associated with increased immune rejection reactions.