Long-term results of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of keratoconus.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term endothelial cell density (ECD) changes and visual and refractive outcomes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using the big-bubble technique in eyes with keratoconus.

Design: Retrospective interventional case series study.

Methods: setting: Single hospital. patients: Two hundred forty-one eyes of 214 patients who underwent DALK for moderate to advanced keratoconus. main outcome measures: Intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), spherical equivalent refraction, topographic astigmatism, and ECD.

Results: Two hundred thirty-four procedures (97%) were completed as DALK. Big bubble was successfully achieved in 193 eyes (82.4%). In 7 eyes (3%), the procedure was converted to penetrating keratoplasty because of Descemet membrane macroperforations. Microperforations occurred in 18 eyes (7.5%). The mean follow-up time was 50.5 ± 22.2 months (range 24 to 96 months). UCVA was lower than 20/100 in all eyes preoperatively and better than 20/100 in 191 eyes (81.6%) postoperatively. BSCVA was 20/40 or better in 187 eyes (79.9%) and 20/20 or better in 38 eyes (16.2%). The mean (± SD) preoperative ECD that was possible in 166 eyes was 2797 ± 561 cells/mm(2). Mean (± SD) endothelial cell loss was 8.1% ± 4.6% at 1 year, 10.5% ± 5.7% at 2 years, 15.1% ± 14.8% at 6 years, and 22.5% ± 15.9% at 8 years. Stromal graft rejection episodes occurred in 4 eyes, which resolved with appropriate therapy.

Conclusions: Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty that uses the big-bubble technique is effective in patients with keratoconus. Long-term endothelial cell loss was moderate and lower than penetrating keratoplasty grafts.