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Published on: July 6, 2015
Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty with Intacs explantation in keratoconus
Jeewan S Titiyal1, Bhavna Chawla, Namrata Sharma
1Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Purpose:
To describe the surgical technique and clinical outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) with Intacs explantation in patients with poor visual outcome after Intacs implantation for keratoconus correction.
Methods:
Two patients with bilateral keratoconus underwent Intacs segment implantation. Due to poor visual outcome and patient dissatisfaction, the Intacs segments were explanted and a big bubble-assisted DALK procedure was performed at the time of Intacs removal.
Results:
DALK could be successfully completed in both cases. There were no postoperative complications. At 2 years follow-up, the grafts were clear in both patients, with a best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/25.
Conclusions:
A modified big bubble-assisted DALK procedure can be performed in keratoconic eyes requiring Intacs explantation and may provide a better alternative to a penetrating keratoplasty.
