Herpes simplex virus keratitis: histopathologic neovascularization and corneal allograft failure.

PURPOSE: To identify whether histopathologic presence of neovascularization is predictive for allograft failure following penetrating keratoplasty for herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis.

METHODS

Retrospective, interventional case series of 62 consecutive patients with HSV keratitis who underwent penetrating keratoplasty at the Kellogg Eye Center between 1990 and 2000. Reviews of the patients' clinical charts and the histopathologic slides of their excised corneal buttons were performed to identify associations between histopathologic neovascularization and clinical outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To determine whether histopathologic presence of neovascularization predicts allograft failure.

RESULTS

Histopathologic presence of neovascularization was present in 31% of corneal specimens and predicted subsequent allograft failure (P = 0.002) and HSV recurrence (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Histopathologic presence of neovascularization is a risk factor for corneal allograft failure and HSV recurrence.