Triple Procedure: A Stepwise Combination of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty and Cataract Surgery

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of the combined surgery (triple procedure) of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using a new surgical strategy.

The study included 43 eyes of 43 patients who underwent a triple procedure. Twenty-six eyes with good visibility through the cornea underwent phacoemulsification before the stromal dissection. Seventeen eyes with bad visibility underwent the DALK procedure first until achieving enough visibility to perform the lensectomy. IOL power calculation was performed for a postoperative estimated flat keratometry of 43.5 and aiming to avoid hyperopic postoperative refraction. The postoperative visual examination included uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) measurements and manifest refraction.

The mean follow-up time after suture removal was 3.06 ± 2.14 years. Mean CDVA significantly changed from 0.86 ± 0.56 logMAR preoperatively to 0.37 ± 0.28 logMAR in the last visit ( P < 0.0001). The percentage of eyes with CDVA ≤0.3 logMAR changed from 6.9% preoperatively to 62.8%. No eyes lost lines of vision after surgery, and 80% experienced an improvement of 2 or more lines. The safety index was 2.2. The mean postoperative refractive sphere was +0.13 ± 2.04 D, and the postoperative refractive cylinder was -4.02 ± 2.24 D. Only 2 cases (4.65%) obtained postoperative hyperopic astigmatism. No intraoperative complications were found.

Combined surgery of DALK, phacoemulsification, and IOL implantation is an effective and safe procedure. Depending on the corneal transparency, different surgical strategies can be established to provide more efficacy and safety.