DALK

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Article initiated by:
Jose David Hutchinson Camacho, MD, Tahsin Z. Khundkar, Frank S. Hwang
All contributors:
Jose David Hutchinson Camacho, MD, Frank S. Hwang, MD, Vatinee Y. Bunya, MD, MSCE, Sarah Brown Weissbart, MD, Dr. Kabir Hossain, Colleen Halfpenny, M.D., Augustine Hong, MD, Ravi Patel, MD, MBA
Assigned editor:
Ravi Patel, MD, MBA
Review:
Assigned status Up to Date
 by Ravi Vaniyan, MD on July 28, 2024.


See demarcation line between host descemet layer and grafted stroma.

Disease Entity

DALK is a partial-thickness corneal transplant which involves only the donor stroma, leaving the recipient's own Descemet's membrane and endothelium. The Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) technique largely overshadowed Lamellar Keratoplasty (LK) because LK had poor visual outcomes related to irregularity of the dissected surfaces and scarring in the tissue interfaces.[1] Recent improvements in surgical instruments and introduction of new techniques of maximum depth of corneal dissection as well as the reduced risk of immunological rejection compared to PK have renewed the interest of corneal surgeons. The procedure offers advantages over penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), including a “closed-system” operation and a decreased risk of postoperative immune rejection.

History

Selective transplantation of a patient’s stroma without the endothelium originated over 150 years ago with the pioneer work of von Hippel and Filatov[2]. Paufique later refined the technique by introducing dedicated instruments for stromal dissection[3].  In 1959, Hallerman became the first surgeon to perform a deep stromal dissection close to DM and transplant a full-thickness donor button that included DM and endothelium[4].  Anwar suggested in 1974 that visual outcomes are improved when the donor DM and endothelium are removed, thus creating a smoother interface[5].  In 1984, Archila was the first to use air injection to facilitate the creation of a deep stromal plane[6].  Other techniques such as hydrodelamination and manual dissection were subsequently proposed[7] [8][9].  Most recently, the forceful intrastromal injection of air or viscoelastic to create a supra-Descemet cleavage plane and reduce the risk of intraoperative perforation was proposed and remains the preferred technique for DALK operations today[10][11].

Indications

DALK is most useful for treating corneal pathologies in the circumstances of a normally functioning endothelium. Some common indications for performing DALK include:

Tectonic

  • Descemetocele: DALK may be performed both as a tectonic and optical means to restore ocular integrity. Therapeutic DALK can be performed in cases with healed infectious keratitis and descemetocele
  • Pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD)
  • Sterile Mooren’s ulcer

Optical

  • Corneal ectasias
    1. Keratoconus: The most common indication for DALK. Keratoconic patients are typically young and have healthy endothelium. However, there is controversy regarding visual outcomes of DALK compared to PK with some sources stating that the outcomes are comparable[12][13][14] while others reporting that DALK yields inferior visual outcomes[15][16][17].
    2. Pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD): DALK is a useful surgical alternative to PK in the management of PMD. The technique provides useful visual rehabilitation in patients with PMD even in the presence of previous corneal perforation[18].
    3. Post-refractive surgery keratectasia: PK is considered the preferred approach for post- LASIK keratectasia (PPLK) with successful results. Due to success in treating keratoconus, DALK has also been gaining favor in managing iatrogenic keratectasia.[19]
    4. Refractive keratectomy haze, radial keratotomy,[20] myopic keratomileusis, myopic keratomileusis cryo, persistent folds in the LASIK flap, and intracorneal ring segment complications. Manual DALK may be preferred over big-bubble DALK for patients with a history of radial keratotomy. [20]
  • Corneal scars: DALK can be successfully performed for cases with corneal scars not involving the Descemet’s membrane. DALK has been successfully used in scars secondary to trauma, surgical, chemical injury, herpetic, post-bacterial/fungal keratitis, and other superficial scars. Pre-operative specular microscopy and Anterior segment OCT may be helpful preoperative ancillary tests.
  • Corneal stromal dystrophies: Patients with Avellino, lattice and granular corneal dystrophies are good candidates for DALK because this technique maximizes depth of dissection and provides patients with acceptable visual acuity. DALK is not suitable for macular corneal dystrophy, as it might show progressive decrease in the corneal endothelium postoperatively[21]. DALK also has utility for correcting Bowman’s membrane ReisBücklers’ dystrophies and map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy with recurrent erosions.
  • Ocular surface disease: Severe surface disease with limbal stem cell deficiency is a common presentation of trachomatous keratopathy, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatrical pemphigoid and chemical/thermal burns. DALK is also used for corneal degeneration such as in patients with Salzmann’s nodular degeneration, climatic degeneration and band keratopathy.
  • Corneal clouding due to mucopolysaccharidosis: DALK is ideal since corneal clouding in these genetic diseases is due to glycosaminoglycans accumulating in the corneal stroma, sparing the endothelium.

Therapeutic

  • Some resistant corneal infections
  • Dermoids, some tumors
  • Inflammatory mass
  • Perforations

Contraindications

Anterior lamellar keratoplasty is contraindicated in cases of unhealthy endothelium or DM.  The big-bubble technique (see below) cannot be performed in the presence of a pre-existing break in DM (e.g., following hydrops in keratoconic eyes) or deep scars involving DM[22].

Preoperative Considerations

Advantages of DALK over PK include better long-term graft survival, minimal steroid-related complications, and easier follow up, and the ability to use a lower quality donor. In addition, larger grafts can be transplanted without an increased rejection risk[23]. Pre-operative measurements of peripheral pachymetry and specular microscopy may be useful ancillary tests.

Techniques

DALK techniques can be divided into two main categories. In "pre-Descemet membrane" procedures, some stromal layers remain adherent to DM.  "Descemet's membrane" procedures involve complete stromal dissection and baring of DM. In all the techniques, a partial-thickness trephination of the cornea is performed depending on pachymetry.

Manual intrastromal dissection

A partial thickness trephination (approximately two-thirds) is performed, followed by excision of the superficial stroma by manual dissection using a bevel up crescent knife.  Maintaining a consistent depth is important to create a recipient bed of even thickness.  Melles introduced a technique of using an air bubble in the anterior chamber to create a mirror image of the dissector blade, which serves as an indicator of stromal depth (air-guided deep stromal dissection)[24].  Exposed DM can be recognized by its smooth, glossy appearance.  If DM is exposed, creation of a peripheral paracentesis to reduce intraocular pressure is recommended. A full or partial-thickness stromal button can be sutured in place once the anterior layers are removed.  Disadvantages of manual dissection include the possible creation of an irregular stromal bed that can cause astigmatism and scarring at the graft-host interface. There can also be a high rate of perforation[8].

Automated therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty

A microkeratome can be used to excise the diseased corneal layers with precision and high optical quality.  The surgeon can choose the depth of the cut (typically ranging from 130 to 450 um).  The donor cornea can also be cut using a microkeratome to the desired thickness and then sutured into the recipient bed.

Cleavage separation

The “big-bubble technique” was developed by Anwar and Teichman by utilizing the naturally occurring virtual space between the posterior stroma and DM[25]. A 300 to 400 um deep trephination is performed first. Next, a 27 or 30 gauge needle, bent to 30 to 40° 5 mm from its tip is advanced with the bevel facing down through the trephination groove and into the paracentral corneal stroma parallel to DM.  Air is then injected forcibly either through the needle or through a dedicated DALK cannula, such as a Sarnicola or Fogla cannula. Air will move through the central cornea and extend radially cleaving a plane between the pre-Descemet's layer and the overlying stroma, forming what is called a Type 1 Bubble. Alternatively, the air injection may first extend peripherally and then expand centripetally, cleaving a plane between the DM and the pre-Descemet's layer, called a Type 2 bubble. A mixture of these two bubbles may also occur.   Viscoelastic or saline solution can also be used for this step, though fluid injections diffuse through the stroma less easily and carry a higher risk of perforation.  The epithelium and anterior stroma can then be removed. A sharp 30° blade is then used to puncture the anterior (posterior stromal) wall of the bubble, and blunt scissors can be used to cut the stroma into quadrants and excise it within the trephination.  Once the pre-Descemet's layer or Descemet's membrane is bared, the donor button can be sutured in place. 

Compared with manual dissection, advantages of the big-bubble technique include improved optical properties, decreased and the ability to expose DM over a wide surface.  The disadvantages include the correlation of success with surgeon experience[26] as well as the risk of anterior chamber entry and perforation, especially if DM scarring or prior perforation sites exist.

Donor preparation

After the donor button is punched, a dry Weck-cel sponge can be used to partially detach DM and endothelium from the posterior stroma of the donor. Once an intact edge is free, the DM can be peeled off.  Trypan blue can be utilized to facilitate this step.  It is important that the stromal surface is smooth and uniform in order to optimize the optical quality of the graft-host interface.

Use Femtosecond Laser and Intraoperative OCT in DALK

Femtosecond laser has been used to create intrastromal channels for intrastromal pneumatic dissection and circular side cuts for lamellar dissection. Rates of complications using femtosecond laser for DALK appear to be low in small case series.[27] Intraoperative OCT has been used to guide visualization of creation of intrastromal channels for pneumatic dissection. [28][29]

Complications

Intra operative

  • The most common complication during DALK is perforation of the Descemet's membrane during surgery. Tears or perforations occur in approximately 10 to 30 percent of the cases, and most commonly occur when a Type 2 bubble is formed.[30][31] The risk is less in elderly patients, who tend to have a thicker Descemet's membrane. Depending on the size of the perforation and the also the stage of the surgery at which the perforation occurred, it may or may not necessitate conversion to full-thickness corneal transplantation surgery. Perforation can occur during trephination, stromal dissection, and suturing.

Post-operative complications

Post-DALK pseudo anterior chamber formation
  • Formation of double (pseudo) anterior chamber: Usually seen in the immediate postoperative period and in cases that had an intraoperative perforation of the Descemet’s Membrane. Although spontaneous resolution has been known to occur in long-standing cases with double anterior chamber, the usual surgical intervention consists of injecting air into the anterior chamber in order to tamponade the detached Descemet’s membrane. Double anterior chambers can also form if the donor button is larger than the host trephination.
  • Corneal stromal graft rejection: Uncommonly, corneal stromal graft rejection has been reported after a successful DALK surgery. This complication can present anytime after 3 months postoperatively.
  • Interface haze: occurs in cases where stromal fibers have been left and is apparent in late post-operative follow-up.
  • Graft dehiscence: Early suture removal may lead to graft dehiscence in some cases.
  • Recurrence of the original pathology
  • Descemet’s membrane folds
  • Interface keratitis: interface left during DALK is a potential dead space
  • Damage to the iris sphincter muscle resulting in a fixed pupil (more commonly seen in keratoconus patients) (Urrets-Zavalia syndrom)
  • Pupillary block due to air/gas in the anterior chamber
  • Suture-related complications: post-keratoplasty atopic sclerokeratitis (PKAS)

Prognosis

DALK has been shown to have similar best-corrected visual acuity outcomes compared with PKP[32].  It is thought that successful baring of DM are the primary determinants of achieving maximal visual improvement because residual stromal tissue can contribute to interface opacification that limits acuity[33].

Post-operatively, persistent myopia and astigmatism following complete suture removal are the most common morbidities[34].  While some studies suggest that the incidence of postoperative myopia is similar between DALK and PKP (in a recent study, -6.1±1.8 D and-5.0±1.5 D in DALK versus PKP, respectively[35]),others have suggested that DALK might produce higher levels of myopia as compared to PKP[35][36][37][38][39]. Astigmatism appears to be similar in DALK and PKP[39][40]. Huang et al suggests that postoperative spherical equivalent may be dependent on preoperative vitreous length[41].

DALK spares transplantation of the endothelium, which eliminates the possibility of endothelial rejection.  Epithelial, stromal, and mixed epithelial and stromal graft rejection, however, can occur at a rate of approximately 8 to 10%[42][43]. Less than 5% of grafts fail secondary to rejection[44].  The risk of graft loss following blunt trauma is also markedly reduced as compared to PK.

Additional Resources

  1. Al-Torbak A, Malak M, Teichmann KD, Wagoner MD. Presumed stromal graft rejection after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Cornea 2005;24(2):241-3.
  2. Anwar M, Teichmann KD. Big-bubble technique to bare Descemet's membrane in anterior lamellar keratoplasty. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2002;28:398–403.
  3. Anwar M, Teichmann KD. Deep lamellar keratoplasty: surgical techniques for anterior lamellar keratoplasty with and without baring of Decemet’s membrane. Cornea 2002; 21(4):374-83.
  4. Anwar M. Big-bubble technique. In: Fontana L, Tassinari G, eds. Atlas of lamellar keratoplasty. Italy: Fabiano Editore; 2007:125–136.
  5. Anwar M. Planned near Descemet’s membrane dissection using air and fluid. In: John T, ed. Surgical techniques in anterior and posterior lamellar corneal surgery. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; 2006:126–133.
  6. Arslan OS, Unal M, Tuncer I, Yucel I. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty using big-bubble technique for treatment of corneal stromal scars. Cornea 2011;20(6):629-33.
  7. Bahar I, Kaiserman I, Srinivasan S, Ya-Ping J, Slomovic AR, Rootman DS. Comparison of three different techniques of corneal transplantation for keratoconus. Am J Ophthalmol 2008;146(6):905–912.
  8. Boyd K, Huffman JM. About Corneal Transplantation American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeSmart/Eye health. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/about-corneal-transplantation Accessed May 26, 2022.
  9. Chiou AG, Bovet J, de Courten C. Management of corneal ectasia and cataract following photorefractive keratectomy. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2006;32:679–80.
  10. Higaki S, Maeda N, Watanabe H, Kiritoshi A, Inoue Y, Shimomura Y. Double anterior chamber deep lamellar keratoplasty: case report. Cornea 1999;18(5):530-3.
  11. Krachmer J, Mannis M, Holland E. Cornea, 3rd Ed. Elsevier Mosby, 2011, Chapter 129-132: p. 1511-1530.
  12. Kucumen RB, Yenerel NM, Gorgun E, Oncel M. Penetrating keratoplasty for corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2008;18:695–702.
  13. Mannan R, Jhanji V, Sharma N, Pruthi A, Vajpayee RB. Spontaneous wound dehiscence after early suture removal after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Eye Contact Lens 2011;37(2):109-11.
  14. Melles GR, Lander F, Rietveld FJ, Remeijer L, Beekhuis WH, Binder PS. A new surgical technique for deep stromal, anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Br J Ophthalmol. 1999;83:327–33.
  15. Melles GR, Remeijer L, Geerards AJM, et al. A quick surgical technique for deep, anterior lamellar keratoplasty using visco-dissection. Cornea. 2000;19:427–432.
  16. Melles GR, Rietveld FJ, Beekhuis WH, Binder PS. A technique to visualize corneal incision and lamellar dissection depth during surgery. Cornea. 1999;18:80–6.
  17. Shimmura S, Shimazaki J, Tsubota K. Therapeutic deep lamellar keratoplasty for cornea perforation. AM J Ophthalmol 2003;135:896-7.
  18. Vabres B, Bosnjakowski M, Bekri L, Weber M, Pechereau A. Deep lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus. J Fr Ophtalmol. 2006;29(4):361–371. 11.
  19. Vajpayee RB, Tyagi J, Sharma N, Kumar N, Jhanji V, Titiyal JS. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty by big-bubble technique for treatment corneal stromal opacities. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007;143:954–7.
  20. Villarrubia A, Pérez-Santonja JJ, Palacín E, Rodríguez-Ausín PP, Hidalgo A. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in post-laser in situ keratomileusis keratectasia. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2007;33:773–8.
  21. Watson SL, Tuft SJ, Dart JK. Patterns of rejection after deep lamellar keratoplasty. Ophthalmology 2006;113(4):556-60.
  22. Woodward MA, Randleman JB, Russell B, Lynn MJ, Ward MA, Stulting RD. Visual rehabilitation and outcomes for ectasia after corneal refractive surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2008;34:383–8.

References

  1. ↑ John V, Goins KM, and Afshari NA. "Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty." - American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeNet Magazine, Sept. 2007. Web. 03 Oct. 2015.
  2. ↑ Krachmer, J. H., Mannis, M. J., & Holland, E. J. (2011). Cornea. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby.
  3. ↑ Paufique L, Charleux J. Lammellar Keratoplasty. In: Casey T, ed. Corneal grafting. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts; 1972:121-176.
  4. ↑ Hallerman W. Vershiedenes uber Keratoplastik. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd. 1959;135:252-259.
  5. ↑ Anwar M. Technique in lamellar keratoplasty. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK. 1974;94:163-171.
  6. ↑ Archila EA. Deep lamellar keratoplasty dissection of host tissue with intrastromal air injection. Cornea 1984;3:217-218.
  7. ↑ Sugita J, Kondo J. Deep lamellar keratoplasty with complete removcal of pathologic stromal for vision improvement. Br J Ophthalmol. 1997;81:184-188.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Tsubota K, Kaido M, Monden Y, et al. A new surgical technique for deep lamellar keratoplasty with single running suture adjustment. Am J Ophthalmol. 1998;126:1-8.
  9. ↑ Melles GRJ, Lander F, Rietveld FJR, et al. A new surgical technique for deep stromal anterior keratoplasty. Br J Ophthalmol. 1999;83:327–333.
  10. ↑ Manche EE, Holland GN, Maloney RK. Deep lamellar keratoplasty using viscoelastic dissection. Arch Ophthalmol. 1999;117:1561–1565.
  11. ↑ Anwar M, Teichman KD. Big-bubble technique to bare Descemet’s membrane in anterior lamellar keratoplasty. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2002;28:398–403.
  12. ↑ Coombes AG, Kirwan JF, Rostron CK. Deep lamellar keratoplasty with lyophilised tissue in the management of keratoconus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2001;85:788–91.
  13. ↑ Shimazaki J, Shimmura S, Ishioka M, Tsubota K. Randomized clinical trial of deep lamellar keratoplasty vs penetrating keratoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol. 2002;134:159–65.
  14. ↑ Sugita J, Kondo J. Deep lamellar keratoplasty with complete removal of pathological stroma for vision improvement. Br J Ophthalmol. 1997;81:184–8.
  15. ↑ 15. Watson SL, Ramsay A, Dart JK, Bunce C, Craig E. Comparison of deep lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in patients with keratoconus. Ophthalmology. 2004;111:1676–82.
  16. ↑ Panda A, Bageshwar LM, Ray M, Singh JP, Kumar A. Deep lamellar keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty for corneal lesions. Cornea. 1999;18:172–5.
  17. ↑ Funnell CL, Ball J, Noble BA. Comparative cohort study of the outcomes of deep lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus. Eye (London, England). 2006;20:527–32.
  18. ↑ Millar MJ, Maloof A. Deep lamellar keratoplasty for pellucid marginal degeneration review of management options for corneal perforation. Cornea. 2008;27:953–6.
  19. ↑ Salouti R, Nowroozzadeh MH, Makateb P, Zamani M, Ghoreyshi M, Melles GR. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for keratectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2014 Dec;40(12):2011-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2014.04.029. Epub 2014 Oct 23. PMID: 25457380.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Einan-Lifshitz A, Belkin A, Sorkin N, Mednick Z, Boutin T, Kreimei M, Chan CC, Rootman DS. Evaluation of Big Bubble Technique for Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Patients With Radial Keratotomy. Cornea. 2019 Feb;38(2):194-197. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000001811. PMID: 30431472.
  21. ↑ Kawashima M, Kawakita T, Den S, Shimmura S, Tsubota K, Shimazaki J. Comparison of deep lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty for lattice and macular corneal dystrophies. Am J Ophthalmol. 2006;142:304–9.
  22. ↑ Anwar M. Planned near Descemet’s membrane dissection using air and fluid. In: John T, ed. Surgical techniques in anterior and posterior lamellar corneal surgery. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; 2006:126-133.
  23. ↑ Krachmer. (2013). Cornea, 3rd Edition. Elsevier.
  24. ↑ Melles GR, Rietveldt FJ, Beekuis WH, Binder PS. A technique to visualize corneal incision and lamellar dissection depth during surgery. Cornea. 1999;18:80–86.
  25. ↑ Anwar, Mohammed, and Klaus D. Teichmann. "Deep lamellar keratoplasty: surgical techniques for anterior lamellar keratoplasty with and without baring of Descemet's membrane." Cornea 21.4 (2002): 374-383.
  26. ↑ Fontana L, Parente G, Tassinari G. Clinical outcomes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty using the big-bubble technique in patients with keratoconus. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007;143:117–124.
  27. ↑ Pedrotti E, Bonacci E, De Rossi A, Bonetto J, Chierego C, Fasolo A, De Gregorio A, Marchini G. Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Big-Bubble Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021 Feb 16;15:645-650. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S294966. PMID: 33623365; PMCID: PMC7896764.
  28. ↑ Lucisano A, Giannaccare G, Pellegrini M, Bernabei F, Yu AC, Carnevali A, Logozzo L, Carnovale Scalzo G, Scorcia V. Preliminary Results of a Novel Standardized Technique of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Keratoconus. J Ophthalmol. 2020 Sep 3;2020:5496162. doi: 10.1155/2020/5496162. PMID: 32963820; PMCID: PMC7491466.
  29. ↑ Santorum P, Yu AC, Bertelli E, Busin M. Microscope-Integrated Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Big-Bubble Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty. Cornea. 2022 Jan 1;41(1):125-129. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000002826. PMID: 34369392.
  30. ↑ Leccisotti A. Descemet’s membrane perforation during deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: prognosis. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2007;33(5):852-9.
  31. ↑ Jhanji V, Sharma N, Vajpayee RB. Intraoperative perforation of Decemet’s membrane during “big bubble” technique for treatment corneal stromal opacities. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007; 143(6):954-7.
  32. ↑ Williams, K. A., et al. "THE AUSTRALIAN-CORNEAL-GRAFT-REGISTRY-1990 TO 1992 REPORT." AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY 21.2 (1993):1.
  33. ↑ Anwar, Mohammed, and Klaus D. Teichmann. "Big-bubble technique to bare Descemet’s membrane in anterior lamellar keratoplasty." Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery 28.3 (2002): 398-403.
  34. ↑ Vail A, Gore SM, Bradley BA, Easty DL, Rogers CA, Armitage WJ. Conclusions of the corneal transplantation follow up study. Collaborating Surgeons. Br J Ophthalmol 1997;81(8):631–636. 

  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Huang T, Hu Y, Gui M, et al. Comparison of refractive outcomes in three corneal transplantation techniques for keratoconus. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2015. E-pub ahead of print.
  36. ↑ Cohen AW, Goins KM, Sutphin JE, Wandling GR, Wagoner MD. Penetrating keratoplasty versus deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of keratoconus. Int Ophthalmol 2010;30(6):675–681.
  37. ↑ Sögütlü Sari E, Kubalo!glu A, U ̈ nal M, et al. Penetrating keratoplasty versus deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: comparison of optical and visual quality outcomes. Br J Ophthalmol 2012;96(8):1063–1067. 

  38. ↑ Shimazaki J, Shimmura S, Ishioka M, Tsubota K. Randomized clinical trial of deep lamellar keratoplasty vs penetrating ker- atoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol 2002;134(2):159–165. 

  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Kim, Kuk-Hyoe, et al. "Comparison of refractive changes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus." Japanese journal of ophthalmology 55.2 (2011): 93-97.
  40. ↑ Jones MN, Armitage WJ, Ayliffe W, Larkin DF, Kaye SB. Penetrating and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for kera- toconus: a comparison of graft outcomes in the United Kingdom. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2009;50(12):5625–5629.
  41. ↑ Feizi, Sepehr, and Mohammad Ali Javadi. "Factors Predicting Refractive Outcomes after Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Keratoconus." American journal of ophthalmology (2015).
  42. ↑ Watson, Stephanie L., Stephen J. Tuft, and John KG Dart. "Patterns of rejection after deep lamellar keratoplasty." Ophthalmology 113.4 (2006): 556-560.
  43. ↑ Watson SL, Ramsay A, Dart J, et al. Comparison of deep lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in patients with keratoconus. Ophthalmology 2004;111:1676–82.
  44. ↑ Williams KA, Hornsby NB, Bartlett CM, et al, eds. The Australian Corneal Graft Registry: 2004 Report. Adelaide: Snap Printing; 2004:139–40, 175.
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