Intra-operative optical coherence tomography in corneal lamellar graft reinforcement for Boston type I keratoprosthesis corneal melt

Corneal melt is a sight-threatening complication of Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro). Severe corneal melt may result in hypotony, choroidal hemorrhage, and even spontaneous extrusion of the KPro, which may lead to a poor visual prognosis. Lamellar keratoplasty is one surgical option for the management of mild corneal melt, especially when a new KPro is not available. Herein, we present a new surgical technique application, intra-operative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) for the management of cornea graft melt after Boston type 1 KPro implantation. The visual acuity and the intra-ocular maintained stable at 6 months post-operatively, and the KPro remained in place without corneal melting, epithelial ingrowth, or infection. iOCT may prove to be a real-time, non-invasive, and accurate treatment for corneal lamellar dissection and suturing beneath the anterior plate of the KPro, which can effectively help the surgeon to make surgical decisions and reduce post-operative complications.

Repeat deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for failed primary DALK

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of repeat deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients of previous failed DALK. Methods: A retrospective analysis of records of seven patients who had undergone repeat DALK following the failure of the primary DALK was done. The indications for repeat surgery, time elapsed since the first surgery, and pre? & postoperative best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were noted for all the patients. Results: The follow?up period ranged between one? to four?year post repeat DALK. The indication of primary DALK was keratoconus with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) (n = 3), corneal amyloidosis (n = 2), Salzman nodular keratopathy (n = 1), and healed keratitis (n = 1). The need for repeat surgery arose when the BSCVA dropped to less than 20/200. The time interval elapsed since the first surgery ranged from two months to four years. Postoperatively, the BSCVA improved from 20/120 to 20/30 at the end of one?year post repeat DALK in all except one patient. All regrafts were clear at the most recent examination, performed after a mean period of 18 months after the secondary graft. No complication was encountered during the resurgery. The dissection of the host bed was easier in the second surgery owing to weaker adhesions. Conclusion: The prognosis for repeat DALK for failed DALK is excellent, and the outcomes of secondary grafts were comparable to those of primary DALK grafts. Re DALK offers the advantage of an easier dissection and lower chances of graft rejection compared to penetrating keratoplasty.

Elliptical deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in severe Acanthamoeba keratitis

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is an intractable infection of the cornea. Penetrating keratoplasty is widely used for the management of severe AK but suffers from complications like graft rejection, endophthalmitis, and glaucoma. Herein, we aimed to describe the surgical technique and the results of elliptical deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (eDALK) for the management of severe AK. In this retrospective case series, records of consecutive patients with AK poorly responsive to medical treatment who underwent eDALK from January 2012 to May 2020 were reviewed. The largest diameter of infiltration was ?8 mm and did not involve the endothelium. The recipient bed was made by an elliptical trephine, and big bubble or wet-peeling technique was performed. Postoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, endothelial cell density, corneal topographic data, and complications were evaluated. Thirteen eyes of thirteen patients (eight men and five women, 45.54 ± 11.78 years old) were included in this study. The mean follow-up interval was 21.31 ± 19.59 months (range, 12–82 months). At the last follow-up, the mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.35 ± 0.27 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. The mean refractive and topographic astigmatism were ? 3.21 ± 1.77 and 3.08 ± 1.14 D, respectively. Intraoperative perforation was encountered in one case and double anterior chambers occurred in two cases. One graft developed stromal rejection and one eye developed amoebic recurrence. eDALK can serve as the first-line surgical management of severe AK poorly responsive to medical treatment.

Complications in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty – A retrospective interventional analysis in a large series

Purpose: To analyze the complications in patients managed with deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for diseases of the anterior corneal stroma. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all the patients who underwent DALK in a tertiary care center in South India from 2010 to 2020. A total of 474 eyes in 373 patients were included in the study. Patients who underwent DALK for advanced keratoconus, keratoconus with Bowman’s membrane scar, healed hydrops, macular corneal opacity, macular corneal dystrophy, granular corneal dystrophy, spheroidal degeneration, pellucid marginal degeneration, post– laser?assisted in situ keratomileusis ectasia, descematocele, post?collagen cross?linking aborted melt and dense scar, and post?radial keratotomy were included in the study. The patients were followed up for 17.2 +/? 9.2 months (1–9 years). Results: Complications noted in the surgery were intra?operatively Descemet’s membrane perforation in 31 eyes (6.54%), post?operatively secondary glaucoma in 16 eyes (3.37%), cataract in seven eyes (1.47%), suture?related complications in five eyes (1.05%), graft rejection in three eyes (0.63%), traumatic dehiscence in two eyes (0.42%), filamentary keratitis in two eyes (0.42%), interface infiltrate in one eye (0.21%), and recurrence of disease in four eyes (7.14%) out of 57 eyes with corneal dystrophy. Conclusion: DALK as an alternative to penetrating keratoplasty for anterior corneal stromal diseases. It has become an automatic choice for diseases of the anterior cornea requiring keratoplasty. Complications can occur at any stage of surgery; however, if identified and managed early, they can result in optimal outcome

Femtosecond laser deep lamellar keratoplasty

We aimed to develop a novel and effective technique for creating a smooth deep lamellar dissection of the cornea using a femtosecond (FS) laser for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), we conducted a retrospective eye bank study. Thirteen fresh human corneas were mounted on an artificial anterior chamber, and deep lamellar cuts were made with a 500?kHz VisuMax FS laser at a level of 50–80 ?m anterior to the Descemet’s membrane (DM). A posterior diameter of 8 mm with a side cut angle of 110° was used for the anterior penetrating side cut. The anterior lamellar tissue was bluntly dissected. The residual posterior stromal beds and side cuts were examined with microscopy and intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) and post?cut endothelial cell evaluations. All corneas revealed a smooth residual posterior stromal bed without any visible irregularities or ridges by microscopy and OCT imaging. Six corneas were suitable for post?cut endothelial cell evaluation 2 days after laser cut, with no significant endothelial cell loss post?laser and blunt dissection of the posterior stroma. FS laser deep lamellar keratoplasty utilizing an ultrafast laser to produce a smooth deep stromal dissection followed by blunt dissection and removal of the anterior stromal tissue yields a consistent and smooth residual stromal bed. The creation of a smooth lamellar dissection in the deep posterior cornea may result in more consistent DALK without the need for air bubble or manual baring of DM that has the risk for DM perforation.

An inadvertent usage of the deep stromal lenticule in anterior lamellar keratoplasty – An emancipator technique

Anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK), of late, has gained popularity because of its prolonged graft survivability as a result of reduced endothelial cell loss. A 56-year-old female with bilateral granular corneal dystrophy was taken up for ALK in the left eye. Because of unforeseen errors during the procedure, the surgeon was obliged to customize a novel technique by using a deep stromal lenticule after removal of Descemet’s membrane. Post-op visual recovery was equivalent to conventional ALK with complete epithelization of the graft. This new or adapted technique has an added advantage for surgeons to prevent forfeiture of the valuable donor tissue. In the developing world, manual dissection is still the primary technique of lamellar keratoplasty and many precious corneas get wasted because of intra-operative unintended errors of dissection and trephination. Therefore, this novel technique holds its importance in saving the precious corneal tissue, especially in developing countries, and opens a new area for exploration.

Outcome of therapeutic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis

Purpose: To report and analyze the outcomes of therapeutic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients with advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Methods: Medical records of microbiologically confirmed AK, underwent DALK from 2004 to 2017, were reviewed and the data related to early and late outcome including complications were retrieved. Outcome of cases with largest diameter of infiltrate ?8 mm at the time of surgery (advanced keratitis) were analyzed and compared with those with less severe keratitis (infiltrate size less than 8 mm). Results: Out of 23 patients of AK in whom DALK was performed, ten (43.4%) patients had advanced keratitis. Mean age of these patients was 38.7 ± 8.6 years (range, 25 to 56). Median visual acuity at presentation was 2.78 (IQR, 1.79–3.0) that improved to 1.79 (IQR, 0.70–2.78) postoperatively. Early complications included recurrence of AK in 2 (20%), Descemet's membrane detachment in 5 (50%), and persistent epithelial defect in 3 (30%) cases. Overall, 6 (60%) grafts failed, whereas 4 (40%) patients had clear graft at their last follow-up. Median follow-up of these cases was 5 months (IQR, 1.4–11.4). One graft developed stromal rejection, which resolved with increased dose of corticosteroids. In comparison, DALK performed for less severe keratitis (N = 13) had 1 (7.6%) recurrence and 2 (15.8%) grafts failure (OR, 8.25). The probability of one-year graft survival and eradication of infection was 32% and 74.1%, respectively, in advanced cases compared to 91.6% and 83.9% in less severe cases. Conclusion: Outcome of DALK in advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis is less favorable compared to those carried out for less severe keratitis cases.

Resultados visuales en pacientes operados de queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda versus queratoplastia penetrante en el queratocono / Visual results in patients operated of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comparar los resultados visuales de la queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda versus la queratoplastia penetrante en el tratamiento quirúrgico del queratocono. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico longitudinal prospectivo en 81 pacientes con queratocono, operados de queratoplastia penetrante y queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda entre los años 2014 y 2018. Se evaluó la edad, el sexo, la agudeza visual corregida, la esfera, el cilindro y el equivalente esférico. Resultados: La media de edad en operados de queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda fue 27,5 ± 10,0 años, y 33,2 ± 12,9 años en operados de queratoplastia penetrante. En ambos grupos predominó el sexo masculino: 62,5 por ciento en el grupo de queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda y 63,3 por ciento en el de queratoplastia penetrante. La agudeza visual corregida poscirugía en operados de queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda fue 0,8 ± 0,19; el cilindro refractivo -3,50 ± 1,50; el equivalente esférico -6,07 ± 3,61, SimK1 de 46,37 ± 2,47 dioptrías y SimK2, 43,05 ± 2,47 dioptrías. En la queratoplastia penetrante, la agudeza visual corregida fue 0,68 ± 0,19; el cilindro refractivo -2,77 ± 0,98 dioptrías; el equivalente esférico -3,68 ± 1,56 dioptrías, SimK1 y SimK2 de 44,58 ± 2,77 dioptrías y 41,40 ± 2,93 dioptrías respectivamente. Conclusiones: Los resultados refractivos son similares en ambas técnicas quirúrgicas(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective: Compare the visual results of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in the surgical treatment of keratoconus. Methods: A longitudinal analytical prospective study was carried out in 81 patients with keratoconus, operated of penetrating keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty between the years 2014 and 2018. The variables analyzed were the age, the sex, the corrected visual sharpness, the sphere, the cylinder and the spherical equivalent. Results: The average of age in operated patients of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was 27,5 ± 10,0 years, and 33,2 ± 12,9 years in operated of penetrating keratoplasty. In both groups the masculine sex predominated: 62,5 percent in the group of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and 63,3 percent in penetrating keratoplasty. The corrected visual sharpness in operated of queratoplastia lamelar previous deep was 0,8 ± 0,19; the refractive cylinder -3,50 ± 1,50; the spherical equivalent -6,07 ± 3,61, SimK1 of 46,37 ± 2,47 dioptres and SimK2, 43,05 ± 2,47 dioptres. In the penetrating keratoplasty, the corrected visual sharpness was 0,68 ± 0,19; the refractive cylinder -2,77 ± 0,98 dioptres; the spherical equivalent -3,68 ± 1,56 dioptres, SimK1 and SimK2 of 44,58 ± 2,77 dioptres and 41,40 ± 2,93 dioptres respectively. Conclusions: The refractive results are similar in both surgical technicians(AU)

Seguridad de la queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda versus queratoplastia penetrante en el tratamiento del queratocono / Safety of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in the treatment of keratoconus

RESUMEN Objetivo: Comparar las complicaciones de la queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda y la queratoplastia penetrante en el tratamiento quirúrgico del queratocono. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico longitudinal prospectivo en 81 pacientes operados de queratoplastia con diagnóstico de queratocono. Las variables analizadas fueron el cilindro, el componente esférico, la densidad celular y las complicaciones en el pre- y en el posoperatorio. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó la prueba t de Student para la comparación de medias para datos pareados en el caso de dos valores promedios. Resultados: En el paciente operado de queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda el cilindro fue -3,50 ± 1,50; y en la queratoplastia penetrante el resultado fue de -2,77 ± 0,98. La densidad celular posoperatoria fue de 2 333,6 cel/mm2 en la queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda y de 2 269,3 cel/mm2 en la queratoplastia penetrante. En la queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda el 75 por ciento evolucionó sin complicaciones, y el 82,7 por ciento presentó queratoplastia penetrante. Las complicaciones más frecuentes para la queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda fueron la microperforación, el glaucoma secundario y el síndrome de Urretz-Zavalia (12,5 por ciento cada uno) y en la queratoplastia penetrante el rechazo endotelial (18,2 por ciento) y el defecto epitelial (9,1 por ciento). Conclusiones: En la queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda la pérdida celular endotelial es más lenta en el primer año y las complicaciones son escasas(AU)

ABSTRACT Objetive: Compare the complications of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in the surgical treatment of keratoconus. Methods: An analytical prospective longitudinal study was conducted of 81 patients undergoing keratoplasty and diagnosed with keratoconus. The variables analyzed were cylinder, spherical component, cell density, and preoperative and postoperative complications. Statistical analysis was based on Student's t-test for comparison of means for paired data in the event of two average values. Results: Cylinder was -3.50 ± 1.50 for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and -2.77 ± 0.98 for penetrating keratoplasty. Postoperative cell density was 2 333.6 cell/mm2 for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and 2 269.3 cell/mm2 for penetrating keratoplasty. 75 percent of the patients undergoing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and 82.7 percent of those undergoing penetrating keratoplasty evolved without any complication. The most common complications were microperforation, secondary glaucoma and Urretz-Zavalia syndrome (12.5 percent each) for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, and endothelial rejection (18.2 percent) and epithelial defect (9.1 percent) for penetrating keratoplasty. Conclusions: In deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty endothelial cell loss is slower in the first year and complications are scant(AU)

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in the treatment of stromal corneal dystrophies / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

?AIM:To compare the efficacy and safety of penetrating keratoplasty ( PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty ( DALK) in the treatment of stromal corneal dystrophy.?METHODS:A systematic review and Meta-analysis was conducted for studies comparing visual acuity [ best-corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) ( LogMAR ) ] and corneal endothelial cell count ( ECC) as well as safety outcomes of DALK and PK surgeries, including graft-related outcomes and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for eligible studies until June 2019. Continuous and dichotomous variables were expressed as weighted mean difference ( WMD ) and risk ratios ( RRs ) , respectively, along with their respective 95％confidence intervals ( CIs) .? RESULTS: Five comparative studies recruiting 350 patients with macular and/or lattice corneal dystrophy (59.71％ males) were eventually included. No significant differences were noted in the mean BCVA after both types of surgeries. However, following DALK procedures, corneal ECC was significantly higher two years postoperatively ( WMD=401.62 cell/mm2 , 95％CI:285.39-517.85, P< 0.001 ) , and graft and endothelial rejection rates were significantly lower ( RR=0.30, 95％ CI: 0.14-0.64, P=0.002;RR=0.09, 95％ CI: 0.02-0.46, P=0.004, respectively) when compared to patients undergoing PK procedures. However, DALK procedures were associated with increased risks of intraoperative Descemet' s membrane perforations and postoperative double anterior chamber ( All P<0.001) .?CONCLUSION: DALK procedures are relatively more efficacious over the follow up periods with better safety outcomes than PK in patients with stromal CDs, conerning rejection and better visual outcome.

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in the treatment of stromal corneal dystrophies / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of penetrating keratoplasty(PK)and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty(DALK)in the treatment of stromal corneal dystrophy.<p>METHODS: A systematic review and Meta-analysis was conducted for studies comparing visual acuity \〖best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)(LogMAR)\〗 and corneal endothelial cell count(ECC)as well as safety outcomes of DALK and PK surgeries, including graft-related outcomes and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for eligible studies until June 2019. Continuous and dichotomous variables were expressed as weighted mean difference(WMD)and risk ratios(RRs), respectively, along with their respective 95% confidence intervals(CIs).<p>RESULTS: Five comparative studies recruiting 350 patients with macular and/or lattice corneal dystrophy(59.71% males)were eventually included. No significant differences were noted in the mean BCVA after both types of surgeries. However, following DALK procedures, corneal ECC was significantly higher two years postoperatively(WMD=401.62 cell/mm2, 95% <i>CI</i>: 285.39-517.85, <i>P</i><0.001), and graft and endothelial rejection rates were significantly lower(<i>RR</i>=0.30, 95% <i>CI</i>: 0.14-0.64, <i>P</i>=0.002; <i>RR</i>=0.09, 95% <i>CI</i>: 0.02-0.46, <i>P</i>=0.004, respectively)when compared to patients undergoing PK procedures. However, DALK procedures were associated with increased risks of intraoperative Descemet's membrane perforations and postoperative double anterior chamber(All <i>P</i><0.001).<p>CONCLUSION: DALK procedures are relatively more efficacious over the follow up periods with better safety outcomes than PK in patients with stromal CDs, conerning rejection and better visual outcome.

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty outcomes in macular and granular corneal dystrophy – A comparative cross-sectional study

Purpose: To compare the functional and anatomical outcomes (in terms of graft uptake and rejection/failure) of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in stromal corneal dystrophy (macular and granular). Methods: Sixteen eyes with macular corneal dystrophy (MCD; group A) and 10 eyes with granular corneal dystrophy (GCD; group B) underwent successful DALK by big bubble technique or layer-by-layer dissection. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in their best-corrected visual acuity postoperatively (postoperative P value in MCD and GCD was 0.00001 and 0.0008, respectively) with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.77) at 1 year. Postoperative endothelial count did not drop significantly in group A (MCD, P= 0.1553). Only in seven eyes preoperative endothelial count could be obtained (due to dense stromal corneal opacity), but there was a significant endothelial count difference between preoperative and postoperative count in group B (GCD, P= 0.0405) at the end of 1 year postoperatively which could be because of age and stage of disease (advanced granular dystrophy) and also because of small sample size of GCD compared with MCD. Intergroup comparison between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference (P = 0.6353) with good postoperative outcome in both groups. Conclusion: DALK can be successfully done in both groups and results are comparable. However, long-term outcomes on a large scale need to be further evaluated.

Subconjunctival bevacizumab and argon laser photocoagulation for preexisting neovascularization following deep lamellar anterior keratoplasty

We report a rare case of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) neovascularization managed with combination of subconjunctival bevacizumab and argon laser photocoagulation. A 24 year old male underwent Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for corneal stromal opacity following presumed viral keratitis. Deep corneal neovascularization was observed postoperatively which was successfully managed using a combination of subconjunctival bevacizumab and argon laser photocoagulation within one week of DALK. The neovascularization resolved by 3 months and at 2 years follow up, patient maintained good visual acuity of 6/12 Snellen's without recurrence of vascularization. A combination of bevacizumab and argon laser may be an effective approach to manage neovascularisation in the immediate postoperative phase (Post DALK) and improve graft survival.

Outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty patients with intraoperative Descemet's membrane perforation: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Purpose: To evaluate functional and anatomical outcome in patients undergoing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) with intraoperative Descemet's membrane (DM) perforation (macro and micro). Methods: A retrospective cross sectional study (January 2009 to December 2015) of sixteen eyes of sixteen patients which included nine patients of advanced keratoconus (KC), two patients with paracentral DM scarring post hydrops, KC with Bowman's membrane scarring, macular corneal dystrophy and one patient of advanced Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD). All underwent DALK with intraoperative DM perforation. Big bubble technique was attempted in all except in the two patients with post hydrops DM scar. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), astigmatism and endothelial count (EC) were compared. Results: Postoperative BCVA and astigmatism were found to be better and statistically significant ('p value' 0.00 and 0.003 respectively). BCVA preoperative and postoperative was 1.07± 0.3 and 0.28 ± 0.09 in LogMAR respectively and astigmatism pre and postoperative 4.14 ± 1.5 D and 2.7 ± 0.97 D respectively. Percentage decrease in EC at sixth postoperative week was 7.48% and at sixth month and 1 year postoperative was 15.1%. Two patients developed postoperative double anterior chamber and two patients developed pupillary block glaucoma and all were successfully managed. Conclusion: Not all patients of intraoperative DM perforation (including macro perforation) needs to be converted to penetrating keratoplasty. DALK can be successfully done if the perforation is identified early and managed adequately. This is the only known study which has shown a large series of successful DALK even with macro perforations.

Lamellar keratoplasty techniques

Lamellar keratoplasty (LK) has revolutionized corneal graft surgery in several ways. Deep anterior LK (DALK) has eliminated risk of failure due to endothelial rejection. Endothelial keratoplasty (EK) has almost eliminated induced astigmatism and the “weak” graft–host junction as seen with penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and also reduced the risk of endothelial rejection. LK provided new insights into posterior corneal anatomy that led to better understanding and performance of DALK and to the development of another EK procedure, namely pre-Descemet's EK (PDEK). Surgical procedures for LK were further refined based on the improved understanding and are able to deliver better surgical outcomes in terms of structural integrity and long-term patient satisfaction, reducing the need of further surgeries and minimizing patient discomfort. In most specialist centers, anterior lamellar techniques like DALK and EK techniques like Descemet's stripping EK (DSEK) and Descemet's membrane EK (DMEK) have replaced the full-thickness PK where possible. The introduction of microkeratome, femtosecond laser, and PDEK clamp have made LK techniques easier and more predictable and have led to the innovation of another LK procedure, namely Bowman membrane transplant (BMT). In this article, we discuss the evolution of different surgical techniques, their principles, main outcomes, and limitations. To date, experience with BMT is limited, but DALK has become the gold standard for anterior LK. The EK procedures too have undergone a rapid transition from DSEK to DMEK and PDEK emerging as a viable option. Ultrathin-DSEK may still have a role in modern EK.

Primary graft failure after big bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in macular corneal dystrophy

Macular corneal dystrophy is autosomal recessive dystrophy characterized by deposits of abnormal glycosaminoglycans in stromal lamellae and within endothelial cells. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty is successful in the management of this dystrophy. We herein describe three cases of primary graft failure after uneventful big bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for macular corneal dystrophy.

Outcomes of keratoplasty in lattice corneal dystrophy in a large cohort of Indian eyes

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of keratoplasty for lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) performed at a tertiary eye care center. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of those patients who were clinically diagnosed to have LCD (72 eyes of 57 patients) and underwent either penetrating keratoplasty (PK, 58 eyes of 46 patients) or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK, 14 eyes of 13 patients) between the years 1987 and 2014 was performed. The main outcome measures included demographics, clinical features, and outcomes of keratoplasty. Results: The median follow-up after keratoplasty was 3.1 years (interquartile range [IQR], 9 months to 9 years). The median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.18 (IQR, 0.10�48) (Snellen equivalent 20/30 [IQR, 20/25�/60]) at 4 years postoperatively and 0.65 (IQR, 0.18-0.95) (Snellen equivalent 20/89 [IQR, 20/30�/178]) at 10 years following surgery. DALK eyes had a significantly better BCVA than PK eyes at 2 years following keratoplasty. The median overall survival of grafts was 15.8 years. Late complications included recurrence of LCD (14 eyes), graft infiltrate (23 eyes), graft rejection (15 eyes), graft failure (16 eyes), and glaucoma (14 eyes). Conclusion: The outcomes of graft are similar following PK and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty; however, the latter appears to provide slightly better visual outcome. Recurrence of dystrophy in the graft and graft infiltrates limit the overall graft survival in both the groups.

Assessments of tear meniscus height, tear film thickness, and corneal epithelial thickness after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the lower tear meniscus height (LTMH), central tear film thickness (CTFT), and central corneal epithelial thickness (CCET) after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).@*METHODS@#This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 20 patients who had DALK in one eye over a three-month period. LTMH, CTFT, and CCET of the operated eyes and the unoperated fellow eyes were measured using high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT). Correlations between three OCT assessments and age, time following surgery, graft size, bed size, and the number of residual sutures were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared to patients with keratoconus, patients with other corneal conditions had significantly higher CCET in the fellow eye (P=0.024). For all patients, CCET in the operated eye was significantly negatively correlated with the number of residual sutures (R=-0.579, P=0.008), and was significantly positively correlated with time following surgery (R=0.636, P=0.003). In the fellow eye, a significant positive correlation was found between age and CCET (R=0.551, P=0.012), and a significant negative correlation between age and CTFT (R=-0.491, P=0.028). LTMH was found to be significantly correlated between operated and fellow eyes (R=0.554, P=0.011). There was no significant correlation between LTMH and age, bed/graft size, time following surgery, or residual sutures (all possible correlations, P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Patients with keratoconus tend to have a thinner central corneal epithelium. Corneal epithelium keeps regenerating over time after DALK. DALK did not induce a significant change in tear volume compared with the fellow eye. Postoperative tear function might depend on an individual's general condition, rather than on age, gender, bed/graft size, time following surgery, or residual sutures.

Steady spreading the performance of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in China / 中华实验眼科杂志

Keratoplasty is the main method for visual restoration once disease has affected corneal clarity.Because of its favorable surgical outcomes,deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) has obtained popularity in ophthalmologist.It is of great importance to steadily spread the performance of DALK in China,which is otherwise prevented due to its high skill requirement and long learning curve.Therefore,this assessment reviewed the significance of spreading DALK in China,and discussed the indications,the learning curve and clinical research of DALK.