This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Deep lamellar keratectomy can suffice when PK is risky
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
PARIS — In cases at high risk for graft failure or rejection, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty can be a viable alternative to penetrating keratoplasty, said one surgeon speaking here.
Alberto Villarrubia, MD, described five cases in which he performed deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK, a technique described by Gerrit Melles, MD) instead of penetrating keratoplasty, in a presentation here at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting. He said the five cases had a high risk of PK failure. Four eyes had vascularized herpetic disease, which carries a high risk of recurrence and stromal thinning. One eye that suffered caustic injury presented with a partial limbal insufficiency.
Following DALK, all patients had a good anatomic result with no signs of failure or rejection, Dr. Villarrubia said. Complications included two microperforations and one episode of necrotizing stromal keratitus. Both resolved with a second DALK, he said.
“In all cases except one with a deep amblyopia, functional results were acceptable,” Dr. Villarrubia said.