Graft rejection episodes after keratoplasty in Japanese eyes

We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for graft rejection after keratoplasty in Japanese patients. We enrolled 730 cases (566 patients) of penetrating keratoplasty (PK, N = 198), Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK, N = 277), non-Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (nDSAEK, N = 138), and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK, N = 117). The incidence, clinical characteristics, and possible risk factors for graft rejection were analyzed. Graft rejection occurred in 65 cases (56 patients, 8.9%). The incidence rate of rejection was highest with PK (3.45/100 person-years), followed by DSAEK (2.34), nDSAEK (1.55), and DMEK (0.24). Cox regression analysis revealed keratoplasty type, younger age, indications (such as failed keratoplasty and infection), and steroid eyedrop use as possible risk factors. In the multivariate model adjusting baseline characteristics, PK and DSAEK had significantly higher hazard ratios (HRs) than DMEK (HR = 13.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.83, 101] for PK, 7.77 [1.03, 58.6] for DSAEK). Although not statistically significant, the HR estimate of nDSAEK to DMEK (HR = 7.64, 95% CI [0.98, 59.6]) indicated higher HR in nDSAEK than in DMEK. DMEK is the favorable option among the four surgical procedures to avoid graft rejection after keratoplasty.