VISUAL OUTCOMES IN KERATOCONUS PATIENTS UNDERGOING DEEP ANTERIOR LAMELLAR KERATOPLASTY (DALK)

The aim was to study the Visual outcome of keratoconus (kc) with a corneal transplantation technique Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). Material and Methods: This Retrospective cross-sectional study included 40 patients’ eyes with moderate to advanced keratoconus underwent Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Data were obtained by reviewing the records of 40 patients operated at National institute of Ophthalmology, Pune between June 2019–June 2020 for Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty Surgery. Patient at least completed 6 months follow up. Medical records were reviewed for Demographic Details, Risk Factors, Surgical procedure and size of donor, post-operative complication and Visual outcome. According to the patient Record the Data was Measured and analyzed Statistically. Result: Out of 40 Operated Patients with aged between 10 – 30 years were enrolled in this study. wherein Preoperatively, corrected distance visual acuity was >6/60(< 1.00 in log mar) in 18 eyes, 6/60(1.00 in log mar) in 11eyes, 6/36(0.8 in log mar) in 8 eyes, 6/24(0.6 in log mar) in 3 eyes. After performing the Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. the corrected distance visual acuity was after 6-month 6/12 (0.3 in log mar) in 6 eyes, 6/18(0.5 in log mar) in 11 eyes, 6/24(0.6 in log ma r) in 9 eyes, 6/36 (0.8 in log mar) in 11 eyes, 6/60 (1.0 in log mar) in 3 eyes. Similarly, Pre operatively 18 patients (45 %) were in blindness categories according to WHO; After performing the Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty only 3 patients (7.5 %) were in blindness categories. Conclusion: Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty should be procedure of choice in patient with keratoplasty induced by keratoconus. This technique causes minimal refractive change and provide rapid visual recovery for patient with keratoconus.