Evaluation of Corneal Topography Changes Following Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Patients with Keratoconus

Abstract

Background. The aim of this study is to evaluate the morphologic changes of the cornea and anterior chamber by using corneal topography (CT) in patients undergoing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) due to keratoconus. Patients and methods. This observational case-control study included total 53 eyes of 53 patients with keratoconus and underwent DALK surgery. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and 3 months after suture removal with CT. In CT, anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle (ICA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), central corneal thickness (CCT), maximum keratometric value (Kmax), flattest simulated meridian keratometry (SimK1), steepest simulated meridian keratometry (SimK2) and simulated keratometry average (SimKavg) results were compared before and after DALK surgery. Results. A significant increase was observed in CCT values after DALK surgery (p < 0.001). Patients showed statistically significant decrease in Kmax, SimK1, SimK2 and SimKavg values (p < 0.001 for all). Postoperative ACD and ACV values were significantly lower (p < 0.001). The ICA values showed no significant difference (p = 0.183) between preoperative and postoperative values (49,95 ± 5,85 and 46,30 ± 11,33 respectively). Conclusion. We determined a dramatic decrease in keratometric values, ACD and ACV values and an increase of corneal thickness after DALK surgery. Although DALK can be performed without interfering with the anterior chamber, has a significant effect in anterior chamber.