Presumed stromal graft rejection after automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty: case report.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the development of presumed immune-mediated stromal rejection after automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty (ALTK) and its reversal after initiation of intensive topical corticosteroid therapy.


METHODS
Observational case report.


RESULTS
Stromal edema localized in the graft developed 42 days after ALTK for Avellino corneal dystrophy in a 65-year-old man. After one week of intensive topical corticosteroids, complete reversal of graft edema occurred, with full recovery of visual function.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical appearance and response to therapy in this case supported the diagnosis of immune-mediated stromal rejection. Ophthalmologists should be aware that stromal rejection may occur in lamellar corneal grafts.
Kawashima
Motoko
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan. motokok@tdc.ac.jp.
Mochizuki
Hiroshi
H
Kawakita
Tetsuya
T
Hatoh
Shin
S
Shimazaki
Jun
J
Yamada
Masakazu
M