Survival of penetrating keratoplasty: a claims-based longitudinal analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To report real-world long-term survival of primary penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in the United States and analyze risk factors associated with failure. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study using a large commercial insurance database. PARTICIPANTS: Ten million patients enrolled in the database from 2011 to 2017 were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes for PK. METHODS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to determine failure rate and risk factors impacting graft outcomes. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-six primary PKs were identified. The 3-year survival was 78% (confidence interval [CI]: 73%-82%), 5-year survival was 76% (CI: 70%-80%), and 7-year survival was 73% (CI: 66%-79%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a significantly lower 5-year success rate for primary PK performed for all causes than previously published case series in the United States.

Duke Scholars

Author Esen Karamursel Akpek Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery