Result of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

To report the perioperative complications and clinical outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) cases which was performed between 2007-2013. One hundred and twenty eyes of 105 patients with pathologies involving the corneal stroma and sparing the Descemet's membrane and endothe¬lium were included consecutively in this retrospective, noncomparative interventional case series study. DALK was performed using the big-bubble technique, when failed manual dissection was applied with blunt spatula. The most frequent indication for DALK surgery was keratoconus (80 eyes), followed by corneal dystrophy (20 eyes) and superficial traumatic corneal scar (8 eyes). The average follow-up period was 36,1 ± 3,9 months. DALK was completed in 100 eyes (83,3%). A big bubble was achieved successfully in 96 eyes (80%). Descemet's membrane perforations occurred in 29 (24,1%) eyes, 19 of which were macroperforation and necessitated conver¬sion to penetrating keratoplasty. Complications tended to decrease throughout the time. Postoperative best-cor¬rected visual acuity of 0,5 or better was present in 74 of 100 (74%) eyes that underwent DALK. There was no episode of graft rejection. Because of satisfactory visual and refractive results, lesser complication rates like graft rejection, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty is a good choise with developed new surgical techniques in patients who have intact corneal endothel and Descemets membrane. Key Words: Lamellar Keratoplasty, Descemet membrane, endothel, greft survey