Clinical Indications of Penetrating Keratoplasty: An Epidemiological Study in Teaching Hospitals of Birjand

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine indications of keratoplasty during 7 years (1999–2006) in Emam-Rreza and Vali-Asr teaching hospitals of Birjand University of medical sciences.Methods: Medical records of all patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in teaching hospitals of Birjand University of Medical Sciences from 1999 to 2006 were investigated retrospectively. The recorded data covered sex, age, indication, job and place of life of the patient. This data were analyzed regarding statistical significance was determined using X2 analysis.Results: During a 7-year period, total number of 120 patients were operated. The most common indication for PK was corneal opacity (62%), followed by keratoconus 20% and other 18% (Bolus keratopathy plus corneal dystrophia). The major job group for keratoplasty was farmer and the keratoplasty in patients that live in village (56%) was more than the city (44%).Conclusion: Corneal opacity was the leading indication for PK. The major cause of corneal scarring was trauma with Thorn barberry and corneal infection in our study