Posters

Indications and outcome of paediatric corneal transplantation in Tunisia

Poster Details

First Author: M.Loukil TUNISIA

Co Author(s):    S. Kammoun   S. Gargouri   O. Ben Lassoued   F. Hamza   A. Trigui   J. Feki     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate patient characteristics, indications, and outcomes of paediatric keratoplasty in Sfax, in southern Tunisia.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.

Methods:

We undertook a retrospective review of 40 primary penetrating keratoplasty performed 37 in children and adolescents 18 years of age or younger in our department between January 2004 and December 2015.

Results:

Mean age was 12 years (1 to 18 years). Surgical indications were congenital opacities in 9 eyes (23%), acquired traumatic opacities in 5 eyes (12%), and acquired non traumatic opacities in 26 eyes (65%). Keratoconus was the most common diagnosis (53%). Final visual acuity after 1 year was more than 1/10 in 76% of cases and was better for acquired non traumatic indications (p=0,02). Overall graft survival was 67% at 1 year. Adolescents (�â�‰�¥ 12 years) and acquired non traumatic opacities exhibited better corneal graft survival (p<0,001). Graft rejection was the leading cause of failure (77%).

Conclusions:

Pediatric penetrating keratoplasty is challenging. Graft survival and visual outcomes vary by indication and recipient age. Corneal grafts for keratoconus in adolescents show excellent survival. Successful transplantation requires careful preoperative evaluation, rigorous follow-up, early and aggressive treatment of amblyopia and cooperating parents.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE