Lamellar and Penetrating Keratoplasty

Lamellar and Penetrating keratoplasties are interventions in which total or partial transplantation of the corneal tissue is effectuated for the treatment of various diseases of the cornea that considerably decrease visual acuity.

Keratoplasty can be penetrating (full corneal transplantation) or partial, such as lamellar keratoplasty or endothelium transplantation (DSAEK). Until recently, incisions were made by the use of specially designed surgical instruments which resulted in the need of stitches and high postoperative astigmatism. At IVO those incisions can be performed with the use of the Femtosecond Laser offering numerous advantages. Firstly, we can precisely create the same dimension implant in both donor and recipient corneas and moreover we can give various different shapes. The result is fewer stitches, less post operative astigmatism and graft form depending on our patients needs.

At IVO as well as at the University Hospital Ophthalmology department, apart from the common keratoplasty methods, partial anterior and posterior keratoplasty are performed. These modern applications have good results in respect to the conventional keratoplasty because keratoconus, trauma, corneal scars and enthodethium pathology can be confronted successfully with the use of the Femtosecond Laser.