Keratoplasty for Fuchs' Dystrophy

Abstract

Until recently many ophthalmologists^1,3,7,8considered that the prognosis of keratoplasty for Fuchs' dystrophy was poor. In 1952, however, Stocker¹²reported two successful grafts for Fuchs' endothelial and epithelial dystrophy. In 1953, Paton⁴included the results of keratoplasty in 13 cases of Fuchs' dystrophy, with five successful grafts. In 1956, Stocker¹⁰reported 12 more cases, with good results in seven eyes, fair results in two eyes, and failure in three eyes. The present study reports the outcome of keratoplasty for Fuchs' dystrophy performed on 20 eyes of 18 patients at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital from 1952 to early 1957, which were followed from 3 to 36 months (average, 11.4 months). Five patients (six eyes) were from the cornea clinic of the hospital, and the others were private patients of Dr. Paton (eleven patients, twelve eyes), Dr. H. Katzin (one patient, one eye), and Dr.