[Lamellar keratoplasty. Back to the future?!]

In 1840 Mühlbauer was the first to describe a technique for anterior lamellar keratoplasty (LKP). However, in the second half of the twentieth century penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) became the gold standard. Although it is associated with a higher risk for serious complications -- it is technically easier to perform and avoids wound healing reactions in the lamellar interface and thus resulting in better visual acuity. In view of the pathology, replacing all layers of the cornea including healthy parts can be considered therapeutic "overkill" for many corneal graft indications. Several innovative surgical techniques have recently been described which allow the lamellar dissection of recipient and donor cornea with good reproducibility in almost every desired depth. This now allows the recipient endothelium and Descemet's membrane to be selectively replaced or preserved and to avoid formation of an optical barrier in the lamellar interface in eyes undergoing lamellar keratoplasty for optical indications. The most important principal advantage of an anterior LKP -- to minimize the risk of an immune reaction in the graft -- is even more important in tectonic indications. From the large number of variations, the surgical technique, results, and problems with anterior and posterior LKP for optical indications as well as lamellar segment keratoplasty and epikeratoplasty for tectonic indications are discussed.