The Enigma of Environmental Factors in Keratoconus.

Keratoconus is an ectatic disorder with highly complex and varied causes including genetic variations and environmental factors. Its prevalence varies widely between regions and countries. Many environmental factors have been proposed to be associated with keratoconus, but the interpretation of their individual contributions is difficult due to the presence of many confounding variables.

Treatment adherence after penetrating corneal transplant in a New Zealand population from 2000 to 2009.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of nonadherence after penetrating keratoplasty in Auckland, New Zealand, over a 10-year period and to identify predictive variables.

Methods: The New Zealand National Eye Bank records were analyzed for the decade January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2009, inclusive. Variables evaluated included age, gender, ethnicity, proximity to treatment center, level of deprivation, indication for surgery, previous ocular surgery.

Refractive surgery for keratoconus.

Traditionally, keratoconus has been managed with glasses when mild, contact lenses when moderate and keratoplasty when severe. When cornea-based refractive surgery was first developed it appeared to be a useful option for keratoconus until reports of post-operative progressive ectasia emerged and thus keratoconus was considered a contraindication to refractive surgery. However, improvements in older techniques and the development of new techniques mean that there are now several viable options to avoid keratoplasty in contact lens-intolerant patients.

The New Zealand National Eye Bank: survival and visual outcome 1 year after penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To identify potential donor, recipient, surgical, and postoperative factors that may influence survival and visual outcome of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Methods: As part of a prospective longitudinal study, the electronic records of the New Zealand National Eye Bank were analyzed for the 10-year period from 1994-2003. Both univariate and multivariate analysis was performed.

The New Zealand National Eye Bank study 1991-2003: a review of the source and management of corneal tissue.

Purpose: To evaluate donor demographics and source, donor tissue processing and storage, biologic contamination, and the utilization and distribution of corneal tissue procured by the New Zealand National Eye Bank.

Methods: As part of a prospective longitudinal study, the electronic records of the NZNEB for the 13-year period 1991-2003 were analyzed for each year with respect to donor demographics, donor source and cause of death, death-to-preservation interval, storage methods, endothelial assessment, biologic contamination, corneal tissue utilization, and distribution.

Results: During the study period, 3221 corneas were retrieved from 1628 donors (69.