Senegalese Experience of Keratoplasties in Public and Private Practice (Aristide le Dantec Hospital and Clinique du Cap), Dakar

Abstract

Introduction: The corneal surface is exposed to many external aggressions which can alter its transparency and regularity. Several keratoplasty techniques have been codified such as transfixing keratoplasty (KT) or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (KLAP) or rotational auto graft. Our work was carried out in Senegal, in a context where corneal transplants were not frequently performed. The aim of our study was to report results one year after a keratoplasty. Patients and Method: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent prior transfixing or lamellar keratoplasty or rotational auto graft. It was carried out between the ophthalmological clinic Aristide Le Dantec hospital and the ophthalmological center of Clinique du Cap in Dakar, Senegal. It included all records of patients with postoperative follow-up greater than or equal to 1 year. The parameters studied were anamnestic data, preoperative clinical examination (indication of corneal transplantation) and postoperative results. Results: Twenty-six eyes of 22 patients were identified. The decrease in visual acuity evolved on average for 5 years. The operative indications were mainly represented by results of pillow type keratitis (30.76%), bullous keratopathy (23.08%), and keratoconus (23.08%). Surgery consisted of a transfixing keratoplasty in 84.61%, lamellar in 15.39% of the cases. Comments: The primary objective of keratoplasty is to restore the transparency, it can also help to remedy pain or improve the anatomical and aesthetic prognosis of the eyeball. The benefits of keratoplasty in our context of developing countries are the reduced cost and shorter waiting time vis-à-vis western countries. Conclusion: The results of our study are encouraging for surgery, still practiced on a small scale in our regions.