In the largest case study so far looking at the outcome of pediatric corneal transplants, results show that children who undergo the procedure for herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis need long-term antiviral treatment.
Corneal transplants can prove difficult, with half of children who undergo the surgery experiencing a recurrence of HSV 13 to 15 months afterward. Children also face a high rate of failure/rejection for corneal transplants, along with a challenging recovery.
The case study, however, shows that when recurrences of HSV and its related issues are managed, corneal transplants can result in vision benefits for children. The case study looked at nine children ages three to 17 who had undergone a corneal transplant and then developed interstitial keratitis as a result of a scar on their central visual axis. Patients received oral acyclovir for half a year before surgery and then had a post-op prophylactic course for as long as 33 months. Most patients showed improved best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), which emphasizes the importance of long-term antiviral prophylaxis in reducing HSV recurrence and increasing the probability of the surgery’s success.
