Surgical Results of Deep Lamellar Keratoplasty

ABSTRACT

We performed the deep lamellar keratoplasties in which stroma about 90% in thickness were removed on 15 patients(12 males and 3 females). The patients included in this study showed deep corneal opacity preserving endothelium intact. During the operation, we experienced microperforation in 3 cases, but no complications were found with immediate closure. After the operation, all patients acquired the corneal clarity except one whose cornea was opaque as the Grade II by the slit lamp examination. The patients had visual improvement of two lines or more in Snellen chart. Three patients had no change of visual acuity and one patient bad astigmatism more than 3D. Only one patient suffered the stromal rejection raction, but improved with the use of oral steroid and topical steroid eye drops.