Penetrating keratoplasty in eThekwini Health District 2011–2014
African Vision and Eye Health
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Penetrating keratoplasty in eThekwini Health District 2011–2014 | |
| Creator | Khan, Monawwar Visser, Linda Mahomed, Saajida | |
| Description | Background: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK – corneal transplantation or full-thickness corneal graft) remains the primary sight-restoring procedure for corneal blindness. South Africa is experiencing a shortage of donor corneas, resulting in long waiting times for a corneal transplant. A corneal graft protocol has been drawn up in the eThekwini Health District to triage prospective corneal graft recipients.Aim: To describe the clinical and demographic profiles of patients on the elective corneal graft waiting list, the waiting time for PK and the scoring system prioritisation process of corneal graft allocation.Setting: All patients on the elective corneal graft waiting list in the eThekwini Health District.Methods: An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for a 3-year period between April 2011 and March 2014.Results: A total of 104 patients were on the elective corneal graft waiting list for PK during the study period. Only 20% (n = 21) of patients received a corneal graft during the 3-year period. Amongst those that received a corneal graft, the median waiting period was 280 days (interquartile range 143–520 days). The majority of patients on the waiting list (67%) were younger than 41 years of age. The commonest indication for PK was keratoconus (64%). Patients with higher pro forma scores are more likely to receive a corneal graft when a donor cornea becomes available.Conclusion: With a shortage of donor corneas, very few patients receive a corneal graft. Educational programmes are vital to increase awareness of corneal blindness and the value of corneal donations. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2015-07-09 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/aveh.v74i1.299 | |
| Source | African Vision and Eye Health; Vol 74, No 1 (2015); 4 pages 2410-1516 2413-3183 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/299/412
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/299/414
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/299/415
https://avehjournal.org/index.php/aveh/article/view/299/325
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