[Noteworthy and controversial problems of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty]

Corneal transplant is the main treatment for blindness caused by corneal diseases. The common methods of corneal transplant include penetrating keratoplasty and lamellar keratoplasty. With the advances of microsurgical instruments and technology in recent years, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) has gradually increased. Compared with conventional penetrating keratoplasty, the optical effects of DALK are not much different, but DALK has fewer complications. So DALK is expected to become the mainstream of corneal transplantation. Clinical surgeons try to promote DALK in China. However, there are certain learning curves and some controversies. Therefore, we discuss the controversial issues about DALK in this article.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 164-166).