Excimer laser-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty for keratoconus, corneal problems after laser in situ keratomileusis, and corneal stromal opacities.

PURPOSE: To evaluate excimer laser-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty to augment thin corneas as in keratoconus (<350 microm) and corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and to treat anterior stromal opacities.

SETTING

Ophthalmology Department, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.

METHODS

Thirteen eyes (5 keratoconus, 3 macular dystrophies, 1 post-LASIK ectasia, 1 post-LASIK interstitial keratitis, 3 post-herpetic keratitis sequelae) of 13 patients were included in this prospective study. The treatment group was divided into corneal ectasia and stromal opacity groups. A donor stromal button approximately 350 microm thick received a 100 microm excimer laser ablation on the endothelium. The remaining cornea (epithelium, Bowman's membrane, and stroma) was punched with a 7.5 or 7.7 mm trephine. After transepithelial ablation of the host cornea to 200 mum thickness, the corneal button was sutured with interrupted 10-0 monofilament nylon. Sutures were removed between 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative simulated keratometric cylinders and corneal thickness values were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The postoperative spherical equivalent refraction and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) between the groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 27.6 months +/- 8.3 (SD). All patients gained 2 lines or more of BSCVA, and no patient lost a line. The mean corneal thickness was 381.2 +/- 88.2 microm preoperatively, which significantly increased to 534.9 +/- 96.6 microm postoperatively (P < .05). The mean preoperative simulated keratometric cylinder was 7.44 +/- 7.18 diopters (D); postoperatively, it decreased to 2.61 +/- 1.73 D (P < .05). There was no significant difference in postoperative spherical equivalent refraction or BSCVA between the groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This technique presents a different modality for the treatment of keratoconus, post-LASIK corneal problems, and other corneal stromal opacities with anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Additional studies with more patients and longer follow-up will help determine the role of this technique as a substitute for penetrating keratoplasty in these patients.