Astigmatism Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Astigmatism, including details on cornea, retina, treatment, types, signs, tests.

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in Korean patients with Avellino dystrophy.

Park KA, Ki CS, Chung ES, Chung TY

Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in Korean patients with Avellino dystrophy. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 4 eyes (4 patients) with recurrent Avellino dystrophy after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Genetic study was performed on 2 patients to confirm the diagnosis. Partial-thickness donor cornea (devoid of endothelium and Descemet membrane) was transplanted onto a recipient bed after deep lamellar dissection and removal of recipient stroma. Visual acuity, refractive error, keratometry values, topographic astigmatism, and complications were evaluated after a follow-up period of at least 14 months. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.5 +/- 3.32 years, and the mean follow-up period was 17.5 +/- 3.11 months. Visual acuity was improved to > or = 20/25 in all cases. Postoperative topographic astigmatism ranged from 1.2 to 4.9 D. In 1 case, double anterior chamber developed after the operation, which resolved after gas injection into the anterior chamber. During the follow-up period, there were no signs of graft rejection, and all grafts were transparent except one, in which small opacity recurred in the peripheral corneal stroma 13 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: DALK is considered a good primary surgical option in patients with recurrent Avellino dystrophy after PTK.

Published 25 September 2007 in Cornea, 26(9): 1132-5.
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