OBJECTIVES
In this study, we compared the surgical outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty using domestic and imported donor corneas.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated 200 eyes and 200 consecutive patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty by using domestic and imported donor corneas between January 2013 and December 2013. The donor characteristics, preoperative clinical features, and clinical outcomes at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were assessed.
RESULTS
No significant differences existed between the 2 groups with respect to age, sex, lateralization, and penetrating keratoplasty indication (P > .05). Donor age was lower (P = .012), the death-to-preservation time and the preservation-to-surgery time were shorter, the rate of epithelial defect was lower, and the endothelial cell count was higher in the domestic group (P < .001). The 2 groups were also similar in terms of developing persistent epithelial defect, glaucoma, keratitis, and graft survival (P > .05).
CONCLUSIONS
We observed no significant differences in clinical outcomes during and after penetrating keratoplasty surgery between imported and domestic donor corneas.