Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To describe the use of pre-harvested corneas cryolathed to a specified thickness for use in lamellar keratoplasty (LK). Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients at Duke University Eye Center receiving LK using pre-harvested, commercially available donor corneas in varying thicknesses (33%, 50%, 67%, or 75% of total corneal thickness) from The Casey Eye Institute of Oregon Health Sciences University. Results: Four patients underwent LK using pre-fashioned corneas for the following indications: anterior stromal scar (2), descemetocele (1), and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (1). All of the patients have thus far had satisfactory results of the procedure with clear and anatomically intact grafts. The use of pre-fashioned donor corneas also bypassed the most difficult aspect of LK--removing the donor endothelium, Descemet's membrane, and posterior stroma to the desired thickness. Conclusions: Lamellar keratoplasty using donor corneas fashioned to the surgeon's specifications with regards to corneal thickness appears to be a suitable alternative to penetrating keratoplasty for various corneal pathologies, and avoids the risks associated with the latter procedure. These results suggest that the number of LKs may increase with the increasing accessibility and availability of customized donor lamellar tissue.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • transplantation • wound healing