Deep Intrastromal Arcuate Keratotomy With In Situ Keratomileusis (DIAKIK) for the Treatment of High Astigmatism After Keratoplasty: 2-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE: To describe 2-year results of deep intrastromal arcuate keratotomy with in situ keratomileusis (DIAKIK) for the treatment of high astigmatism after keratoplasty.

METHODS

This prospective study included 20 eyes from 20 patients presenting with high astigmatism after keratoplasty. All were treated by two-step femtosecond laser surgery, with two intrastromal arcuate keratotomies and a corneal flap, followed a few months later by excimer photoablation after reopening of the flap.

RESULTS

At 24 months, both uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity had improved from 1.12 ± 0.42 logMAR (20/200 Snellen) before surgery to 0.58 ± 0.23 logMAR (20/80 Snellen) (P < .001) and from 0.31 ± 0.26 logMAR (20/40 Snellen) to 0.20 ± 0.20 logMAR (20/32 Snellen) (P = .04), respectively. The mean spherical equivalent improved from -5.01 ± 4.35 to -1.54 ± 2.42 diopters. The mean efficacy index was 0.63. The mean correction index was 0.93 ± 0.32. The mean flattening index was 1.09 ± 0.75 and the mean safety index was 1.39. No graft rejection or epithelial ingrowth was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This two-step procedure was an effective treatment for high astigmatism after keratoplasty. The use of both femtosecond and excimer lasers helped to avoid some complications that would have jeopardized the grafts. Refractive and topographic stability was good 2 years after surgery. [J Refract Surg. 2019;35(4):239-246.].