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DALK, PK similar in visual results, but DALK shows some advantages

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BERLIN — Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty show similar results in visual acuity, but DALK holds an advantage over PK because of preservation of the recipient endothelium, a surgeon said here.

"We found that there was no difference between these two groups in visual acuity and astigmatism," Rudy Nuijts, MD, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.

Dr. Nuijts presented 12-month data of 25 DALK patients and 22 PK patients who had an average postoperative best corrected visual acuity of logMAR 0.23 and logMAR 0.19, respectively. Spherical equivalent was –2.42 D in the DALK group and –1.26 D in the PK group. Endothelial cell loss and contrast sensitivity were similar, he said.

Refractive cylinder was significantly different at –1.75 D in the DALK group, compared with –2.72 D in the PK group, Dr. Nuijts said. The PK group also had a 19% rejection rate, whereas no rejections occurred in the DALK group.

"We all know that deep lamellar keratoplasty has some advantages over PK," Dr. Nuijts said.