[Penetrating keratoplasty in the treatment of corneal perforation]

166 patients of corneal perforation from HSK, suppurative corneal ulcer and chemical or thermal burn were treated by penetrating keratoplasty. In the group of HSK, 69.8% of the grafts remained transparent and vision was restored to 0.05-1.0 in 81 cases (69.8); in the group of suppurative corneal ulcer, 40% of the grafts were transparent and vision was restored to 0.05 or better in 15 cases (37.5%); while in the group of burns, the grafts were clear only in 20% and vision was 0.05-0.6 in 3 cases (30%). The complications and causes for failure were similar to those in patients without perforation. These results indicate that timely penetrating keratoplasty is recommendable for the treatment of corneal perforations of various etiology.