Results Of Deep Anterıor Lamellar Keratoplasty (Dalk) In Keratoconus: A Retrospectıve Analysıs

INTRODUCTION: DALK is a surgical treatment used for many stromal pathologies such as keratoconus, corneal scars, stromal dystrophy and stromal degeneration that do not affect the endothelium The aim of this study was to present the clinical results of keratoconus patients who underwent deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) surgery.
METHODS: Data from 30 eyes of 30 patients who underwent deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative examinations, operative data, intraoperative and postoperative complications, additional interventions, and visual outcomes were evaluated. Descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation) were used for data evaluation. The results were assessed at a 95% confidence interval, with a significance level of p < 0.05.
RESULTS: Out of the 35 keratoconus patients scheduled for DALK surgery, 30 eyes were included in the study. Five patients who developed macroperforation of Descemet's membrane (DM) during DALK surgery were excluded from the study. The patients were followed up for an average of 26.6±8.4 months (range: 6-48) after keratoplasty surgery. Preoperatively, visual acuity level ≤1/10 was present in 22 patients (73.3%), and between 1/10-2/10 in 8 patients (26.7%). Postoperatively, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was ≤1/10 in 1 eye (3.3%); BCVA was ≥1/10 in 29 eyes (96.6%), and ≥5/10 in 23 eyes (%76.6). Stromal rejection developed in 1 of 30 patients (3.3%) who underwent DALK surgery.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: DALK surgery performed on patients with keratoconus significantly reduces the risk of immunological reactions and graft rejection. Therefore, it is the first surgical method to be considered especially in patients with keratoconus who require keratoplasty.