title: Big-bubble technique to bare Descemet's membrane in anterior lamellar keratoplasty.
abstract: We describe a lamellar keratoplasty technique to bare Descemet's membrane in which air is injected to detach the central Descemet's. After a partial-thickness corneal trephination is performed, a disposable needle is inserted, deeply and bevel down, into the paracentral corneal stroma and air is injected. In most cases, this forms a large air bubble between Descemet's membrane and the corneal stroma. After anterior lamellar keratectomy is performed, a small opening is made in the air bubble and the remaining stromal layers are lifted with an iris spatula, severed with a blade, and excised with scissors. This technique is faster, safer, and easier to perform than previous methods.
authors.affiliation: El Maghrabi Eye & Ear Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anwar
authors.forename: Klaus D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Teichmann
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery*