Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in Korean patients with Avellino dystrophy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the surgical outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in Korean patients with Avellino dystrophy.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed in 4 eyes (4 patients) with recurrent Avellino dystrophy after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Genetic study was performed on 2 patients to confirm the diagnosis. Partial-thickness donor cornea (devoid of endothelium and Descemet membrane) was transplanted onto a recipient bed after deep lamellar dissection and removal of recipient stroma. Visual acuity, refractive error, keratometry values, topographic astigmatism, and complications were evaluated after a follow-up period of at least 14 months.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 52.5 +/- 3.32 years, and the mean follow-up period was 17.5 +/- 3.11 months. Visual acuity was improved to > or = 20/25 in all cases. Postoperative topographic astigmatism ranged from 1.2 to 4.9 D. In 1 case, double anterior chamber developed after the operation, which resolved after gas injection into the anterior chamber. During the follow-up period, there were no signs of graft rejection, and all grafts were transparent except one, in which small opacity recurred in the peripheral corneal stroma 13 months postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
DALK is considered a good primary surgical option in patients with recurrent Avellino dystrophy after PTK.
Park
Kyung-Ah
KA
Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ki
Chang-Seok
CS
Chung
Eui-Sang
ES
Chung
Tae-Young
TY
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D000099222:betaIG-H3 Protein
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000099222:betaIG-H3 Protein