Details of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty-DALK

This is a surgical procedure for removing the corneal stroma up to the Descement’s membrane. It is a relatively more useful treatment for the treatment of corneal disease in the setting of a normally functioning endothelium, but it has poor visual outcomes because of irregularity of the dissected surfaces. Recent advances have led to popularization.

May include:

• Keratoconus and corneal scars
• Vernal keratoconjuctivitis
• Corneal dystrophies
• Ocular surface diseases, including Stevens- Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid
• Chemical/thermal burns

May include:

• Complexity and novelty of the technique
• Perforation of Descemet’s membrane is the most commonly encountered complication
• Tears or perforations in about 10 to 30 percent of cases