Corneal thickness values in case of patients who underwent lamellar keratoplasty using various evaluation techniques.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To analyze results of pachymetric measurements in patients after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) using three techniques of pachymetry estimation. Methods For the study 35 eyes after various lamellar keratoplasty were qualified. 20 eyes they who underwent DSEK (12 women and 8 men) and 15 after DALK (9 men and 6 women). The subjects age ranged from 23 to 92 years old (mean 45.0.1 years). The follow‐up ranged from 9 to 31 months (mean 16.8 months). Patients underwent routine DSEK and DALK, using “big bubble” technique, surgery. Pachymetric values were achieved using three devices: ultrasonic pachymeter, specular microscope, Anterior Segment OCT. Pachymetric outcomes were analyzed and compared. Results Total corneal thickness in case of patients who underwent DSEK surgery using ultrasound pachymeter ranged from 581 to 829µm (672.4 ± 89.1), specular microscope registered values from 518 to 719µm (575.4 ± 78.3), OCT Visante ranged from 575 to 911µm (690± 122.1). Total corneal thickness in patients who underwent DALK surgery using ultrasound pachymeter ranged from 382 to 571µm (487 ± 76.8), specular microscope registered values from 380 to 481µm (427 ± 84.2), OCT Visante ranged from 379 to 569µm (439± 143.1). Corneal thickness values received with the use of ultrasound and OCT values significantly differed form obtained using specular microscope. Conclusion Specular microscope seems to omit graft thickness in corneal pachymetry evaluation, also pachymetric outcomes are underrated, even though is able to calculate endothelial cell density in patients who underwent lamellar keratoplasty.