Microkeratome-assisted Superficial Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Anterior Stromal Corneal Opacities After Penetrating Keratoplasty

Purpose: To describe the surgical technique and report the outcomes of patients treated with microkeratome-assisted superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty for anterior stromal corneal opacities developing after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods: All patients with post-penetrating keratoplasty anterior stromal opacities treated with microkeratome-assisted superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty between July 2005 and June 2007 were reviewed. A 130-μm superficial keratectomy was performed, followed by the placement of an appropriately sized donor graft, which was secured with overlay sutures. Refraction, corneal topography, and uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities (UCVA, BCVA, respectively) were noted at each examination.

Results: Nine eyes of 8 consecutive patients were identified. Causes of anterior stromal opacities included dystrophy recurrence (n = 3), post-photorefractive keratectomy haze (n = 2), and scarring after stromal melt (n = 4). BCVA improved in all 9 eyes at final follow-up, and 7 of 9 eyes achieved ≥20/40 within the first month. Average follow-up period was 28 ± 3.9 months. Refractive astigmatism also improved by an average of 0.7 diopters.

Conclusions: Superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty is a viable and effective alternative to repeat PK in treating anterior stromal scars. It avoids open-globe surgery and exposure to endothelial rejection associated with repeat PK, and visual rehabilitation is considerably quicker.