Long-term Outcomes of Pediatric Penetrating Keratoplasty for Herpes Simplex Virus Keratitis

PurposeTo analyze the characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients that underwent pediatric penetrating keratoplasty (PPK) for herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis.DesignRetrospective, interventional, consecutive case series.MethodsObservational report of outcomes and findings for 9 patients with history of HSV keratitis that underwent PPK and were followed in a single institution. Difference between the median preoperative and final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was assessed and the outcomes are reported.ResultsWe included 9 eyes; median age at the moment of the PPK was 14 years. The median initial BCVA was 20/400 (range 20/60 to hand motion) and final was 20/50 (range 20/30 to 20/400) (P < .05). Follow-up was a median of 94 months. Complications in these patients included glaucoma (1), graft rejection (1), recurrence of disease (1), and amblyopia (3). No graft failures were present.ConclusionThe long-term outcomes with PPK for HSV keratitis in children provide improvement in BCVA when not compromised by amblyopia