Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41396443›Full record

ArticleGraefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie2026

Objective assessment of graft clarity and recurrence after penetrating keratoplasty for granular, lattice and macular corneal dystrophy using scheimpflug densitometry.

Tim Berger, Berthold Seitz, Elias Flockerzi, Albéric Sneyers, Shady Suffo, Loay Daas

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Tim BergerDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str, Homburg/Saar, D-66424, Germany. tim.berger@uks.eu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2307-2237
Berthold SeitzDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str, Homburg/Saar, D-66424, Germany.
Elias FlockerziDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str, Homburg/Saar, D-66424, Germany.
Albéric SneyersDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str, Homburg/Saar, D-66424, Germany.
Shady SuffoDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str, Homburg/Saar, D-66424, Germany.
Loay DaasDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str, Homburg/Saar, D-66424, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo evaluate long-term outcomes and recurrence patterns following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in granular (GCD), lattice (LCD), and macular corneal dystrophy (MCD), using Scheimpflug-based corneal densitometry (grayscale units-GSU) as an objective tool to assess graft clarity.

methodsIn this retrospective single-center study, 99 eyes of 59 patients with GCD (n = 38), LCD (n = 30), or MCD (n = 31) were analyzed. A total of 112 PKPs, including 74 excimer laser-assisted PKPs, were evaluated. Clinical examinations included visual acuity, slit-lamp evaluation, and corneal tomography using the Pentacam HR. Clinical recurrence was defined as the appearance of dystrophy-specific changes within the graft. Corneal densitometry was assessed in the anterior, central, and posterior layers and the total corneal thickness at 0-2 mm and 2-6 mm zones. Follow-up ranged from 6 weeks to more than 5 years (5y+) postoperatively.

resultsA significant postoperative improvement in BCVA was observed in eyes with GCD and MCD, with sustained visual gains up to 4y and 5y postoperatively, respectively. GCD demonstrated the earliest and highest clinical recurrence rate, with all grafts affected by 5y. LCD showed delayed recurrence from 4y onward, while MCD did not show any recurrence within 5y. Corneal densitometry revealed a progressive increase in GSU in GCD and LCD, particularly in the anterior (GCD:5y / LCD:5y+) and central layers (GCD:4y / LCD:5y+). MCD showed stable GSU values throughout follow-up. Linear regression analysis showed the strongest GSU increase in LCD (slope = 1.65, R²=0.47) and GCD (slope = 0.94, R²=0.14), particularly in the anterior 0-2 mm zone. MCD showed minimal change across all layers and diameters.

conclusionScheimpflug-based corneal densitometry enables objective, layer-specific monitoring of graft clarity and recurrence after PKP. Recurrence rates differ significantly among dystrophy subtypes, highlighting the clinical utility of densitometry in tailoring follow-up strategies, particularly in GCD and LCD with high risk of recurrence.

Indexed as

CorneaCorneal Dystrophies, HereditaryDensitometryGraft SurvivalKeratoplasty, PenetratingVisual AcuityAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCorneal TopographyFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRecurrenceCorneal densitometryCorneal dystrophyCorneal opacityCorneal surgeryIC3DPenetrating keratoplasty

Identifiers

PMID41396443
PMCPMC13002641

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.