Outcomes Of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty Research Articles

Impact of cone base diameter on outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in keratoconus.

To evaluate the outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in treatingkeratoconus in relation to cone base diameter (CBD). A retrospective study. Sixty-one eyes of 49 keratoconus patients who underwent DALK between 2009 and 2018 were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent, and astigmatism were measured. Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam) was used to measure the cone base area (CBA) and CBD using MATLAB software. The mean age of the patients was 20.8 ± 6.1years old, and the mean follow-up time was 27.3 ± 15.2months. Mean UCVA improved from 1.23 ± 0.48 to 0.57 ± 0.27 (LogMAR, 95% CI [0.52, 0.80]; P < 0.001), whereas mean BCVA improved from 0.98 ± 0.55 to 0.18 ± 0.13 (95% CI [0.66, 0.94]; P < 0.001). The mean spherical equivalent decreased by 4.53 ± 5.65 D (95% CI [- 6.25, - 2.82]; P < 0.001), with little change in astigmatism (95% CI [- 1.39, 0.64]; P = 0.457). The postoperative BCVA in the patients with CBD < 5.07mm and corneal curvature ≥ 55D was significantly better than those whose CBD ≥ 5.07mm (0.14 ± 0.09 vs 0.25 ± 0.15, P = 0.001). The follow-up time was negatively correlated with the BCVA (P = 0.004). In this study, outcomes of DALK in keratoconus were related to CBD and corneal curvature. Patients with large CBD (≥ 5.07mm) where the corneal curvature ≥ 55D are more likely to have poor visual outcomes after DALK.

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in the treatment of stromal corneal dystrophies

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in the treatment of stromal corneal dystrophy. METHODS: A systematic review and Meta-analysis was conducted for studies comparing visual acuity [best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (LogMAR)] and corneal endothelial cell count (ECC) as well as safety outcomes of DALK and PK surgeries, including graft-related outcomes and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for eligible studies until June 2019. Continuous and dichotomous variables were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and risk ratios (RRs), respectively, along with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Five comparative studies recruiting 350 patients with macular and/or lattice corneal dystrophy (59.71% males) were eventually included. No significant differences were noted in the mean BCVA after both types of surgeries. However, following DALK procedures, corneal ECC was significantly higher two years postoperatively (WMD=401.62 cell/mm2, 95%CI: 285.39-517.85, P&lt;0.001), and graft and endothelial rejection rates were significantly lower (RR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.14-0.64, P=0.002; RR=0.09, 95%CI: 0.02-0.46, P=0.004, respectively) when compared to patients undergoing PK procedures. However, DALK procedures were associated with increased risks of intraoperative Descemet’s membrane perforations and postoperative double anterior chamber (All P&lt;0.001). CONCLUSION: DALK procedures are relatively more efficacious over the follow up periods with better safety outcomes than PK in patients with stromal CDs, conerning rejection and better visual outcome.

Preferred practice pattern and observed outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty - A survey of Indian corneal surgeons.

Purpose:This study aimed to assess the preferred surgical technique and outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) among corneal surgeons in India.Methods:An online questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among members of the Cornea Society of India (CSI) with experience of performing >10 DALK procedure. The responses pertaining to their surgical experience, preferred technique, complications, and outcome of DALK were collected and analyzed.Results:A total of 156 responses were received. In total, 35.9% of participants reported annual keratoplasty of >50, and DALK constituted >25% surgeries for 25% of participants. Ectatic corneal disorder was reported as the most common indication for DALK by 71.6% of the respondents. Big-bubble (BB) DALK (WA-1.82) was the most preferred technique, along with suction trephine (50%) for partial trephination and bottom port cannula (45.5%) for BB formation. On statistical analysis, no difference was observed in the surgeon reported success rate of BB formation with or without anterior lamellar keratectomy (ALK) (χ2 (1,156) = 3.1498, P = 0.08) or paracentesis (χ2 (1,156) = 0.2737, P = 0.60) before stromal air injection, and method of stromal air injection (χ2 (1,156) = 4.7325, P = 0.09). Conversion to penetrating keratoplasty was reported by 16% of participants in >25% cases, while 66.7% reported in <10% cases. Cataract and double anterior chamber were the most common complications. 50% of participants suggested that >20 procedures are required to overcome the learning curve.Conclusion:BB DALK is the most commonly practiced DALK technique, and its success is independent of ALK and paracentesis being performed prior to air injection and method of air injection (cannula/needle).

Outcome of therapeutic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Purpose:To report and analyze the outcomes of therapeutic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients with advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).Methods:Medical records of microbiologically confirmed AK, underwent DALK from 2004 to 2017, were reviewed and the data related to early and late outcome including complications were retrieved. Outcome of cases with largest diameter of infiltrate ≥8 mm at the time of surgery (advanced keratitis) were analyzed and compared with those with less severe keratitis (infiltrate size less than 8 mm).Results:Out of 23 patients of AK in whom DALK was performed, ten (43.4%) patients had advanced keratitis. Mean age of these patients was 38.7 ± 8.6 years (range, 25 to 56). Median visual acuity at presentation was 2.78 (IQR, 1.79–3.0) that improved to 1.79 (IQR, 0.70–2.78) postoperatively. Early complications included recurrence of AK in 2 (20%), Descemet's membrane detachment in 5 (50%), and persistent epithelial defect in 3 (30%) cases. Overall, 6 (60%) grafts failed, whereas 4 (40%) patients had clear graft at their last follow-up. Median follow-up of these cases was 5 months (IQR, 1.4–11.4). One graft developed stromal rejection, which resolved with increased dose of corticosteroids. In comparison, DALK performed for less severe keratitis (N = 13) had 1 (7.6%) recurrence and 2 (15.8%) grafts failure (OR, 8.25). The probability of one-year graft survival and eradication of infection was 32% and 74.1%, respectively, in advanced cases compared to 91.6% and 83.9% in less severe cases.Conclusion:Outcome of DALK in advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis is less favorable compared to those carried out for less severe keratitis cases.

Comparison of visual and topographic outcomes of deep-anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus.

To compare visual, surgical and topographic outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for keratoconus (KC). In this multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial 76 eyes of 71 KC patients operated between January 2011 and July 2014 in 2 tertiary referral hospitals were included. Consecutive patients were alternately selected to receive one of the two surgical methods. Thirty eight eyes underwent DALK with the big-bubble technique and 38 eyes underwent PK. Mean best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at the first postoperative week (P=0.012) and the first postoperative month (P<0.001) was statistically significantly higher in DALK group. The mean BSCVA at 12mo was not significantly different for DALK (0.30±1.99 logMAR) versus PK (0.40±0.33 logMAR) (P=0.104). The 76.3% of the eyes had a BSCVA over 0.5 in DALK and 47.4% in PK group (P=0.009). The 7.9% of the eyes had a BSCVA of 1.0 in DALK and 5.3% in PK group (P=0.644). Mean spherical equivalent was -2.94 D in DALK and -3.09 D in PK group. Mean topographic astigmatism was 4.62 D and 4.18 D respectively. Regular topographic patterns were observed in 31 (81.6%) of DALK and 29 (76.3%) of PK (P=0.574). The most frequent topographic pattern was oblate asymmetric bow tie, seen in 39.5% in DALK and 23.7% in PK. Big bubble DALK provides an earlier visual improvement compare to PK. However, visual and topographic outcomes are similar to those in PK at 1y. Postoperative complications including rejection and intraocular pressure elevation are more frequent in PK. DALK is a safer alternative to PK for KC. However, intraoperative perforation of the Descemet's membrane is a significant complication.