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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Full-Field Optical Coherence Microscopy for Histology-Like Analysis of Stromal Features in Corneal Grafts
Published on: October 21, 2022
[Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography In Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty]
S Siebelmann1, P Steven1, C Cursiefen1
1Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Köln.
Background:
Like penetrating keratoplasty (pKPL), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is a standard treatment for keratoconus and stromal corneal dystrophies. Intraoperative optical coherence tomography permits live or real-time monitoring during surgery, especially if it is necessary to estimate distances or if the anterior chamber view is limited.
Methods:
Review of literature from PUBMED and our own clinical and experimental data. Key words were "intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomograph", "DALK", "Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty" and "iOCT". The time frame was set from 2005 to 2016.
Results:
All surgical steps were visualisable by intraoperative OCT during DALK surgery. Intraoperative OCT permits depth estimation during deep needle insertion and allows the visualisation of intraoperative interface fluid.
Conclusion:
Intraoperative OCT facilitates standardisation during several steps of DALK. Future prospective studies should concentrate on the safety profile of intraoperative OCT-guided DALK compared to DALK without intraoperative monitoring.
