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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
An “All-laser” Endothelial Transplant
Published on: July 6, 2015
Longterm results of deep lamellar keratoplasty using grafts with endothelium
Shiro Higaki1, Yuichi Hori, Naoyuki Maeda
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. higaki@ganka.med.kindai.ac.jp
Purpose:
To report the longterm results of deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLK) using grafts with their own endothelia.
Methods:
Fourteen eyes of 14 patients underwent DLK using grafts with endothelium. The average follow-up was approximately 80.0 months. Preoperative diagnoses included: corneal leukoma (five eyes); gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (three eyes); Avellino corneal dystrophy (two eyes); corneal perforation (two eyes); corneal mucopolysaccharidosis (one eye), and keratoconus (one eye).
Results:
Corrected visual acuity was improved in 13 eyes (93%), but ruptures of Descemet's membrane occurred in six eyes (43%) and a double anterior chamber was found in five eyes (36%) postoperatively. Despite this, all grafts remained clear as a result of their functioning endothelia.
Conclusions:
Deep lamellar keratoplasty using a graft with its own endothelium is a safe and valuable procedure with flexibility and feasibility that should suit corneal surgeons of all levels.
