Femtosecond Laser-assisted Allogenic Additive Stromal Keratoplasty with or without Excimer Laser Donor Keratomileusis for Management of Keratoconus

Abstract

We describe a modified allogenic intrastromal lenticule implantation technique for management of keratoconus (KCN). Patients with advanced KCN already scheduled for corneal transplantation were enrolled. An allogenic corneal lenticule was implanted inside a stromal pocket created by femtosecond laser. In three cases, the estimated refractive error of the recipient eyes was corrected on the donor lenticules using an Excimer laser. All operated eyes underwent corneal crosslinking at the time of surgery. This method was named “Femtosecond Laser-assisted Allogenic Stromal Keratoplasty Without and With Excimer Laser-assisted Donor Keratomileusis”; briefly called FASK and FASK Plus EDK, respectively. Two out of five patients were satisfied with the results. There was a decrease in the average simulated keratometric values as well as myopia when FASK Plus EDK was performed. Increased corneal thickness was achieved in all cases. Graft edema gradually decreased over weeks but interface wrinkling and lenticule folds in the visual axis remained as a problem during follow-up period. No other complications were encountered.