title: Visual improvement after late debridement of residual stroma after anterior lamellar keratoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This was an observational consecutive noncomparative series of cases. The main outcome measure was recovery of best-corrected vision. The purpose of this study was to show the feasibility of enhancing visual outcome in patients operated with anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) who have not achieved an adequate visual outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four eyes of 4 patients with poor visual recovery after ALK, with no obvious reasons to justify the outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients improved at least 4 lines of best-corrected vision (from preoperative mean of 20/80 to postoperative mean of 20/25) after removal of the posterior residual stromal bed. No complications occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Removal of the posterior lamellar layers is feasible even 2 years after ALK and recovers best-corrected visual acuity in cases with no other cause of poor visual outcome after ALK.
authors: From the Vissum-Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante and Division of Ophthalmology, Miguel Hernández University, Medical School, Alicante. Spain. jlalio@vissum.com
authors: Jorge L
authors: JL
authors: Alió
mesh_terms: D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000601:surgery; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*