Comparing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty in patients with keratoconus

Abstract

We compared outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty (ALTK) in patients with keratoconus. Seventy eyes with keratoconus that underwent corneal transplantation using either DALK (n = 40) or ALTK (n = 30) were included in this retrospective study. DALK was performed with Anwar's big-bubble technique and ALTK using an ALTK system. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive results, and complications were analyzed. Mean follow-up in the DALK (16.68 ± 3.36 months) and ALTK (15.27 ± 2.50 months) groups were similar (p = 0.058). Mean final BCVA of patients in the DALK group was 0.31 ± 0.14 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and in the ALTK group 0.34 ± 0.15 logMAR, (p = 0.492). Corresponding figures for final postoperative spherical equivalents were -3.45 ± 0.77 D and -4.19 ± 0.99 D, respectively (p = 0.001). Final postoperative degree of astigmatism was similar in the two groups: DALK -4.28 ± 0.66 D; ALTK -4.50 ± 1.05 D (p = 0.307). Final visual acuity outcomes were comparable for the DALK and ALTK groups. Thus, ALTK seem to be as efficacious as DALK for surgical treatment of keratoconus.