Khalid Mahmood, Muhammad Tariq Khan, Wasim Iqbal Chaudary, Amjad Saleem Sahi, Zaheerud Din Aqil Qazi.
Visual outcome after deep lamellar keratoplasty in keratoconus.
Pak J Ophthalmol Jan ;26(4):210-5.

Purpose: To evaluate best corrected visual acuity and complications after deep lamellar kertoplasty in patients having keratoconus. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive case series study conducted at LRBT Eye hospital Lahore from October 2007 to August 2009. 67 eyes of 67 patients were selected from corneal unit of LRBT Eye Hospital. Deep lamellar keratoplasty was performed with pneumodissection. Visual acuity was checked preoperatively and postoperatively with Snellen chart at one month, three month and sixth month intervals. All complications were recorded and treated accordingly. Results: In this study, 47 patients were male and 20 were female. Mean age was 21 years ranging from 12-43 years. Seven patients were excluded from the study due to descemet’s membrane perforation. Pre-op BCVA ranged from 6/12-6/6 in 4, 6/24-6/18 in 20 and 6/60-6/36 in 36 eyes. Post-op BCVA was in range of 6/12 - 6/6 in 34, 6/24 - 6/18 in 19 and 6/60 - 6/36 in 7 eyes. In 3 eyes interface haze was noticed. Conclusion: DLK can be considered as a suitable technique in patients with Keratoconus requiring corneal transplantation. The procedure produces good visual results with low rates of complications and minimal risk of graft rejection. As expertise has increased and procedures have become more technically refined, DLK should be considered in patients with a relatively preserved endothelial function.

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