title: Changes in endothelial cell density following penetrating keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) of clear grafts after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 44 and 54 patients treated with PK and DALK, respectively, between March 2006 and April 2010. Corneal ECD was examined using specular microscopy at postoperative 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, and the values were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corneal ECD reduction in the PK group was 7.4%, 15.2%, 23.5%, and 28.9% at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months respectively after surgery, compared with 4.2 % in the first month (P<0.01). These figures were 3.0%, 6.7%, 7.2%, and 7.7% at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months respectively, compared with 2.2 % in the first month in the DALK group (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with DALK, PK significantly reduced ECD of the clear grafts. These results suggest that survival of endothelial cells in grafts is better after DALK than after PK.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Clinic, Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Banu Torun
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.forename: Ece Turan
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Vural
authors.forename: Suphi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acar