Recurrence of keratoconus in two corneal grafts after penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To report the recurrence of postkeratoplasty keratoconus in 2 corneal grafts harvested from the same donor.

DESIGN

Interventional case reports.

METHODS

A 21-year-old-man with advanced keratoconus in his right eye and a 28-year-old-woman with corneal leucoma in her right eye underwent penetrating keratoplasty with 2 grafts coming from the same donor. Approximately 1.5 years after grafting, corneal irregularity and astigmatism caused visual acuities of the patients to decrease to counting fingers. Clinical findings and corneal topography suggested the recurrence of keratoconus. A repeat keratoplasty was performed in both patients.

RESULTS

Histopathology of the excised corneal grafts was consistent with keratoconus and confirmed the preoperative diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence of keratoconus in a patient who had no preexisting keratoconus and in 2 corneal grafts coming from the same donor suggested transmission of the disorder from the donor instead of true recurrence.