Diamond knife-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty to manage keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of a new surgical technique, diamond knife-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), and compare its visual and refractive results with big-bubble DALK in cases of keratoconus.

SETTING

Tertiary eyecare hospital.

DESIGN

Comparative case series.

METHODS

The visual and surgical outcomes of diamond knife-assisted DALK were compared with those of successful big-bubble DALK.

RESULTS

Diamond knife-assisted DALK was performed in 19 eyes and big-bubble DALK, in 11 eyes. All surgeries were completed successfully. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred with diamond knife-assisted DALK. Six months after diamond knife-assisted DALK, the mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) improved significantly from 1.87 logMAR ± 0.22 (SD) to 0.23 ± 0.06 logMAR, the mean keratometry improved from 65.99 ± 8.86 diopters (D) to 45.13 ± 1.16 D, and the mean keratometric cylinder improved from 7.99 ± 3.81 D to 2.87 ± 0.59 D (all P=.005). Postoperatively, the mean refractive astigmatism was 2.55 ± 0.49 D and the mean spherical equivalent was -1.97 ± 0.56 D. The mean logMAR CDVA (P = .06), postoperative keratometry (P=.64), refractive cylinder (P=.63), and endothelial cell loss (P=.11) were comparable between diamond knife-assisted DALK and big-bubble DALK.

CONCLUSIONS

Diamond knife-assisted DALK was effective and predictable as a surgical technique for management of keratoconus cases. This technique has the potential to offer visual and refractive outcomes comparable to those of big-bubble DALK.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.