Deep Lamellar Keratoplasty Versus Penetrating Keratoplasty for Corneal Lesions

Abstract

To compare the effectiveness of deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLK) with that of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in cases of corneal lesions not involving the endothelium. Forty-eight eyes with leukomatous corneal opacity (n = 33), keratoconus with apical scarring (n = 6), granular corneal dystrophy (n = 5), lattice corneal dystrophy (n = 2), and multiple corneal foreign bodies (n = 2) in an age group varying from 16 to 53 years underwent DLK (n = 24) and PKP (n = 24) by utilizing B and (B+ and A) grade M-K preserved donor tissue, respectively. The patients were followed up closely, and the graft clarity, visual achievement, astigmatism and endothelial cell count were evaluated at repeated occasions up to 1 year. Astigmatism of p DLK is a promising procedure and should be practiced more frequently for corneal pathology not involving the endothelium.