OBJECTIVE: To assess the indications for corneal grafting in Zimbabwe. DESIGN: Hospital based retrospective study. SETTING: The study was conducted at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Hospital. METHODS: Data were collected for patients who had corneal grafts performed at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Hospital during the period January 1992 to March 1998. RESULTS: The leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty were keratoconus (26.8%), presumed post measles scarring (17.8%), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (12.5%), corneal scarring due to Herpes simplex keratitis (10.7%) and corneal scarring due to trauma (10.7%). A change in the indications was observed during the study period. The outcome of corneal grafting was favourable with more than 75% experiencing significant improvement in vision. CONCLUSION: Indications for penetrating keratoplasty in Zimbabwe show a pattern different from those for the developed world. A change in the indications during the study reflects changes in local ophthalmic practice.
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Mkanganwi et al. (2000) studied this question.