Femtosecond laser-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: A safer option in keratoconus surgery

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110590
Author(s):  
Cristina Monterosso ◽  
Marco Antonini ◽  
Antonio Di Zazzo ◽  
Daniele Gaudenzi ◽  
Luigi Caretti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Femtosecond Laser ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Persistent Epithelial Defect ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Best Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Persistent Epithelial Defects

Purpose To evaluate postoperative safety of femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty performed with an innovative anvil profile in keratoconus patients. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study. We reviewed medical records of 89 keratoconus patients that underwent femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty surgery (46 eyes) and manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (47 eyes). Inclusion criteria required: age > 18 years old, best-corrected visual acuity < 0.3 LogMAR, continuous suture of the graft, postoperative immunomodulant regimen with dexamethasone 0.1% for 6 months and at least 12 months follow-up. Previous eye surgery, hydrops, and other ocular disease were excluded. The main outcome measures were postoperative events: rejections, persistent epithelial defects, and graft failures. Results During the follow-up (20 ± 6 months) graft rejection was diagnosed in 0 of femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus 6 (17%) of manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [ p 0.027], persistent epithelial defect in 0 of femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus in 4 (11%) of manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [ p 0.048] and graft failure occurred in 4 (11%) of manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. The best-corrected visual acuity, after removal of sutures, was better in the femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty group 0.09 ± 0.08 LogMAR versus 0.16 ± 0.13 LogMAR in manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [ p 0.035] group although refractive spherical equivalent and cylinder, topographic average keratometry and cylinder were similar. Conclusions Anvil-shaped femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in keratoconus surgery increases safety and readiness of recovery, decreasing the incidence of corneal rejection, epithelial defects, graft failures, and producing better best-corrected visual acuity after removal of sutures.

Comparison between manual trephination versus femtosecond laser-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for keratoconus

2019 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2018-313365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Salouti ◽  
Mohammad Zamani ◽  
Maryam Ghoreyshi ◽  
Isabel Dapena ◽  
Gerrit R.J. Melles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Femtosecond Laser ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Manifest Refraction ◽  
Comparative Clinical Study ◽  
The Mean

Background/aimsTo compare the outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (F-DALK) versus manual trephination DALK (M-DALK) in patients with keratoconus.MethodsIn this retrospective, comparative, clinical study, medical charts of 860 patients with keratoconus who underwent F-DALK (n=391) or M-DALK (n=469) with the Melles’s technique, and had at least a 12-month follow-up record were reviewed. The main outcome measures comprised best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction and keratometric indices. The postsurgical measurements were recorded for all patients at 12 months (suture-in condition), and a subset of patients with complete data at 24 months (suture-out condition; 111 F-DALK and 282 M-DALK cases).ResultsBoth procedures had comparable mean (±SD) logMAR BSCVA at 12 months (0.18±0.12 for M-DALK and 0.17±0.12 for F-DALK; p=0.224) and 24 months (0.11±0.10 vs 0.09±0.09, respectively; p=0.166) examinations. M-DALK was associated with a significant more residual myopia at 12 months (−3.85±3.27 vs -1.94±2.86 D; p<0.001), and a milder similar trend at 24 months follow-up (−2.94±2.72 vs −2.38±2.65 D, p=0.064). The mean keratometry (12 months: 46.15±1.88 vs 44.39±1.72, p<0.001; 24 months: 45.33±2.37 vs 44.14±1.68, p<0.001) and apical keratometry values (12 months: 50.92±5.00 vs 47.13±2.38, p<0.001; 24 months: 50.29±4.25 vs 48.12±3.81) were significantly greater for M-DALK than F-DALK, while the keratometric astigmatism was similar (12 months: 2.62±1.58 vs 2.53±1.33, p=0.364; 24 months: 3.21±1.83 vs 3.34±1.88, p=0.529).ConclusionsF-DALK for advanced keratoconus performs as well as M-DALK in terms of BSCVA and keratometric astigmatism in both suture-in (12 months) and suture-out (24 months) conditions. It might have advantages over M-DALK for residual myopia and restoring corneal anatomy.

Microbubble technique in failed deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: 2-year outcomes

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Lippera ◽  
Giuseppe Pallotta ◽  
Piero Ferroni ◽  
Myrta Lippera ◽  
Leopoldo Spadea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Corneal Thickness ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Best Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Big Bubble

Purpose: To compare the long-term results of big-bubble technique and microbubble techniques to complete stroma dissection after failure of achieving a big-bubble. Methods: A total of 35 eyes with keratoconus underwent lamellar keratoplasty with the big-bubble technique (15 eyes) or the microbubble technique (15 eyes). Conversion to penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 3 eyes of the big-bubble group and in 2 eyes of the microbubble group. Best-corrected visual acuity, corneal thickness, corneal astigmatism, and endothelial cell count were assessed preoperatively and at 12 and 24 months after surgery. Results: Mean preoperative visual acuity was 0.29 ± 0.18 in the big-bubble group and 0.25 ± 0.15 in the microbubble group. Postoperatively, all patients showed a regular interface between donor and recipient tissue. At 24 months, mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.84 ± 0.16 in the big-bubble group and 0.68 ± 0.17 in the microbubble group (p = 0.013), and mean central corneal thickness was 530 ± 39 µm in the big-bubble group and 545 ± 30 µm in the microbubble group. Astigmatism was 2.41 ± 1.29 D and 3.59 ± 1.48 D (p = 0.036), respectively, while endothelial cell density was 1,671 ± 371 in the big-bubble group and 1,567 ± 275 in the microbubble group. Conclusions: The microbubble technique appears to be a valid alternative as it was safe and provided good functional results.

scholarly journals Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in keratoconus

2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 88-91
Author(s):  
Ljubisa Nikolic ◽  
Vesna Jovanovic
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contact Lenses ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
One Year ◽  
Peeling Off

Introduction. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is intended for the surgical treatment of corneal pathology without the involvement of the endothelium. Sparing of the healthy host endothelium for lifetime is of utmost importance in young patients. Therefore, keratoconus is among the main indications for DALK. Outline of Cases. Two men, 22 and 28 years of age, underwent DALK for the treatment of progressive keratoconus, with low visual acuity, impossible to be corrected with gas-permeable contact lenses, due to the extreme conical protrusion of the cornea. Baring of Descemet?s membrane was achieved with lamellar dissection and peeling off the stroma. An 8.5 mm graft without the endothelium was sutured into an 8.0 mm bed. Both grafts remained clear and attached, without either ocular surface pathology or problems arising from sutures. The best corrected visual acuity was 20/25 and 20/40, with the astigmatism of 2.5 and 3.0 diopters, respectively. The follow-up was one year. Conclusion. This is the first presentation of DALK in our literature. The restoration of corneal transparency and stability, with sparing of the host endothelium, has put DALK among successful corneal tranplantation procedures. Together with Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty, which already accounts for almost a half of all our keratoplasties, it offers an alternative to penetrating keratoplasty.

scholarly journals Possibilities of Intralamellar Keratoplasty in Rehabilitation of Keratoconus Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Osipyan ◽  
Kh. Khrayst
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Femtosecond Laser ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Corneal Thickness ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Uncorrected Visual Acuity

Keratoconus is one of the topical problems in modern ophthalmology. Among the currently used treatment methods is intralamellar keratoplasty that utilizes allomaterials or homotransplants. The surgery technique has obvious advantages over penetrating and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. There is no risk of tissue incompatibility, the recovery period is shorter, and prolonged use of corticosteroids is not necessary. In recent years, technological development has made the application of femtosecond laser a standard procedure for various surgical interventions on the cornea, particularly for creation of intrastromal tunnels and corneal bags. This article presents an analysis of the modern literature data about different intralamellar keratoplasty techniques for treatment of keratoconus. The described techniques show its great clinical possibilities, especially the intrastromal keratoplasty variant with implantation of biological tissues. One of such techniques was developed and tried by a group of specialists at Research Institute of Eye Diseases in 2014. It involves recovery of corneal thickness in the ectatic area by intralamellar transplantation of a layered transplant of adequate size, which acts as a bandage. The surgery simultaneously affects the stabilization action, corrects refractive errors and eliminates the structural changes; it was accordingly named bandage therapeutic-optical keratoplasty (BTOK). The indication for its usage is progressing keratoconus in stage II–III patients. Among the described outcomes are cease of the disease progression in long-term follow-up, improvement of corrected and uncorrected visual acuity. The foreign analogue of the technique is Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segments (CAIRS) by Jacob S. et al. His study included 20 patients with stages I to IV keratoconus; all patients undergone corneal cross-linking as the first stage, then they had CAIRS implanted into the intrastromal tunnels prepared with femtosecond laser. In both methods, the authors point at the improvement of corrected and uncorrected visual acuity. None of the patients had implant dislocation or keratoconus progression during the follow-up period.

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty in corneas showing a high or low graft rejection risk

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-303
Author(s):  
Edgar Javier Infantes Molina ◽  
Javier Celis Sánchez ◽  
José Maria Tenias Burilllo ◽  
David Diaz Valle ◽  
José Manuel Benítez-Del-Castillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Penetrating Keratoplasty ◽  
Corneal Thickness ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Best Corrected Visual Acuity

Purpose: To compare visual, topographic and topometric outcomes in patients subjected to deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty or penetrating keratoplasty showing a high or low risk of graft rejection. Setting: Complejo Hospitalario La Mancha Centro, Ciudad Real, Spain. Materials and methods: Data were reviewed for consecutive patients with a corneal stroma disease undergoing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty or penetrating keratoplasty over the period 2009–2015 at our centre by the same surgeon. The outcome measures examined were 2-year follow-up best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, topographic astigmatism, intraocular pressure, endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness. Results: Of 115 eyes enrolled, 46 underwent deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (15 low risk, 31 high risk) and 69 penetrating keratoplasty (23 low risk, 46 high risk). Mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively, were 0.31 and 0.26 for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (p = 0.32) and 0.40 and 0.51 for penetrating keratoplasty (p = 0.28). The values for the high-risk deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus high-risk penetrating keratoplasty patients were 0.26 and 0.51, respectively (p = 0.004). Mean postoperative spherical equivalents were −2.60 D for low-risk deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus −2.29 D for high-risk deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (p = 0.19), and −0.41 D for low-risk penetrating keratoplasty versus −0.13 D for high-risk penetrating keratoplasty (p = 0.51). Conclusion: Final best-corrected visual acuity and visual acuity gains were better for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, mainly in corneas with a high rejection risk. Despite a better corneal thickness recorded in the deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty group, the other variables examined were comparable. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty emerged as an effective alternative to penetrating keratoplasty for patients with a disease affecting the corneal stroma.

scholarly journals Femtosecond laser-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty (FSALK) versus microkeratome-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty (MALK) for the treatment of anterior corneal dystrophy.

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Radwan Almousa ◽  
Sheraz M Daya
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Femtosecond Laser ◽  
Visual Outcome ◽  
Corneal Dystrophy ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Clinical Recurrence ◽  
Corneal Scarring ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

Purpose: To compare the visual outcome of femtosecond laser-assisted anterior keratoplasty (FSALK) and microkeratome-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty (MALK) in anterior corneal dystrophy.  Methods: retrospective comparative chart review of 7 eyes that underwent FSALK and 7 eyes that underwent MALK. The primary outcome was the visual outcome of both procedures. The secondary outcome was the recurrence of the corneal dystrophies.Results: Mean follow-up time was 30±14(7-51) months for the FSALK group and 127±28(80-127) months for the MALK group. In the FSALK group the preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) improved from 20/63 to 20/25 at 36 months. In the MALK group there was 1 eye with documented BSCVA over 36 months follow-up; it improved from 20/160 preoperatively to 20/32 at 36 months. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at 36 months improved from 20/100 preoperatively to 20/63 in the FSALK group and from 20/200 preoperatively to 20/63 in the MALK group. Five eyes with Reis-Bucklers showed a clinical recurrence at a mean of 142±13(125-152) months. Two eyes with granular dystrophy showed a clinical recurrence at 23 and 80 months of follow-up. One eye in the MALK group had epithelial ingrowth. One eye in the FSALK group with compromised ocular surface due to 2 previous penetrating keratoplasty, suffered bacterial keratitis that ended up with corneal scarring. Conclusion: Both procedures improve visual outcome for anterior corneal dystrophy. FSALK has theoretical advantages over MALK; however, larger prospective studies are needed to prove this.

scholarly journals Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty followed by Toric Lens Implantation for the Treatment of Concomitant Anterior Stromal Diseases and Cataract

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. oapoc.0000008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Scorcia ◽  
Andrea Lucisano ◽  
Vincenzo Savoca Corona ◽  
Valentina De Luca ◽  
Adriano Carnevali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Toric Iol ◽  
Iol Implantation ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Topographic Astigmatism

Purpose To evaluate the outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) followed by phacoemulsification and toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for the treatment of concomitant stromal disease and cataract. Methods In this retrospective non-comparative interventional case series, ten eyes affected by stromal disease and cataract underwent DALK followed by phacoemulsification with toric IOL implantation after a minimum period of 5 months from complete suture removal. In each case, topographic astigmatism, refraction, visual acuity, and endothelial cell density were recorded before DALK and 1, 6, and 12 months after cataract surgery. In addition, IOL rotation was evaluated using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Results Big-bubble DALK was performed in all eyes but one that received manual dissection. Topographic astigmatism averaged 5.6 ± 2.2 diopters (D) after suture removal; refractive astigmatism decreased to 0.55 ± 0.61 D as early as one month after cataract surgery and did not change substantially throughout the follow-up period. In all patients, one month after phacoemulsification uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity were, respectively, ≥20/40 and ≥20/25 with a residual spherical equivalent of 0.00 ± 0.84 D. At the latest follow-up visit, in all cases the IOL rotation was ≤5 degrees from the intended position and the endothelial cell loss within 8.5%. No complications were recorded. Conclusions DALK followed by phacoemulsification with toric IOL implantation optimizes visual and refractive outcomes in patients with concomitant stromal disease and cataract. In comparison with a combined procedure, the sequential approach offers better predictability of the postoperative refraction in the absence of an increased risk of complications.

Manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty after partial unintentional full-thickness trephination

2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212093210
Author(s):  
Enrica Sarnicola ◽  
Caterina Sarnicola ◽  
Albert Y Cheung ◽  
Edoardo Panico ◽  
Claudio Panico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Chamber ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Full Thickness ◽  
Air Bubble ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Bed Thickness ◽  
Post Infectious

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe a surgical technique to perform deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) despite inadvertent full thickness trephination in one quadrant. Methods: Case report of a 19-year-old boy who underwent DALK for visually significant post-infectious stromal scar in his left eye. An unintentional full thickness trephination occurred in the upper-nasal quadrant at the beginning of the surgery. After suturing the perforated area, manual DALK was performed, and an air bubble was left in the anterior chamber. Evaluated outcomes included best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), residual recipient bed thickness, endothelial cell count (ECC), graft clarity, rejection, and presence/absence of double anterior chamber. Results: The surgery was completed without any further complications. No double anterior chamber or Urrets–Zavalia syndrome was observed on the first postoperative day. Mean residual recipient bed thickness was 72 μm and regular. ECC was 2446 cell/mm2. BSCVA at 18 months of follow-up was 0.9. There were no episodes of rejection, and the graft remained clear at the last follow-up (4 years). Conclusion: Inadvertent partial full thickness trephination of the recipient cornea is a largely preventable but possible complication during DALK. Penetrating keratoplasty conversion can be avoided by performing a manual dissection DALK.

scholarly journals Risk factors influencing survival of acellular porcine corneal stroma in infectious keratitis: a prospective clinical study

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saiqun Li ◽  
Meng Li ◽  
Li Gu ◽  
Lulu Peng ◽  
Yuqing Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Graft Survival ◽  
Graft Failure ◽  
Corneal Stroma ◽  
Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty ◽  
Infectious Keratitis ◽  
Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

Abstract Background A worldwide lack of donor corneas demands the bioengineered corneas be developed as an alternative. The primary objective of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of acellular porcine corneal stroma (APCS) transplantation in various types of infectious keratitis and identify risk factors that may increase APCS graft failure. Methods In this prospective interventional study, 39 patients with progressive infectious keratitis underwent therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty using APCS and were followed up for 12 months. Data collected for analysis included preoperative characteristics, visual acuity, graft survival and complications. Graft survival was evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Results The percentage of eyes that had a visual acuity of 20/40 or better increased from 10.3% preoperatively to 51.2% at 12 months postoperatively. Twelve patients (30.8%) experienced graft failure within the follow-up period. The primary reasons given for graft failure was noninfectious graft melting (n = 5), and the other causes included recurrence of primary infection (n = 4) and extensive graft neovascularization (n = 3). No graft rejection was observed during the follow-up period. A higher relative risk (RR) of graft failure was associated with herpetic keratitis (RR = 8.0, P = 0.046) and graft size larger than 8 mm (RR = 6.5, P < 0.001). Conclusions APCS transplantation is an alternative treatment option for eyes with medically unresponsive infectious keratitis. Despite the efficacy of therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty with APCS, to achieve a good prognosis, restriction of surgical indications, careful selection of patients and postoperative management must be emphasized. Trial registration Prospective Study of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty Using Acellular Porcine Cornea, NCT03105466. Registered 31 August 2016, ClinicalTrails.gov

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