Clinical Ophthalmology (Jul 2021)

Medium-Term Clinical Outcomes of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty versus Penetrating Keratoplasty for Macular Corneal Dystrophy

  • AlAraj A,
  • AlAmeer A,
  • Al-Swailem S

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 3139 – 3145

Abstract

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Ahmad AlAraj,1,2 Ahmad AlAmeer,1,3 Samar Al-Swailem1 1Anterior Segment Division, Department of Ophthalmology, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; 3Ophthalmology Division, Surgery Department, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Samar Al-SwailemAnterior Segment Division, Department of Ophthalmology, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, P.O. Box 7191, Riyadh, 11462, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaTel +966-11-482-1234 ext.1152Email [email protected]: To compare the postoperative outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for macular corneal dystrophy (MCD).Design: Single-center, retrospective, interventional case series.Methods: A chart review was performed of 100 patients (157 eyes) who underwent primary DALK (DALK group) and PKP (PKP group) for histopathologically confirmed MCD for whom at least 12 months of follow-up were available. Between-group comparisons were performed of visual acuity (VA), graft survival, and postoperative complications.Results: There were 22 eyes in the DALK group and 135 in the PKP group. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or better was achieved in 90.9% of the DALK group and 76.3% of the PKP group (P=0.12). At last visit, graft survival was 95.5% (21 eyes) and 91.1% (123 eyes) in DALK and PKP groups, respectively (P=0.69, Log rank test). Corneal graft rejection episodes occurred in 1 (4.5%) DALK graft and 19 (14.1%) PKP grafts. Five of the 19 graft rejections in the PKP group were irreversible. Microbial keratitis and cataract occurred in 6 (4.5%) and 15 (11.1%) PKP eyes. One (4.5%) eye in the DALK group had cataract and none of the DALK cases developed microbial keratitis. Clinically significant recurrence was observed in 4 (2.9%) PKP eyes and 1 (4.5%) DALK eye (P=0.69), respectively.Conclusion: DALK is a viable option for MCD without Descemet membrane involvement. DALK had comparable medium-term visual and survival outcomes to PKP. DALK has the advantage of lower open sky intraoperative complications and lower graft rejection episodes.Keywords: macular corneal dystrophy, keratoplasty, lamellar keratoplasty, penetrating keratoplasty

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