Lamellar Keratoplasty

Lamellar Keratoplasty (LK) is a type of corneal transplant surgery where only a portion of the cornea is replaced, as opposed to Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK), which involves replacing the entire cornea. LK involves the selective removal of the diseased layers of the cornea while leaving the healthy tissue intact. The surgical procedure is designed to treat a variety of corneal diseases and conditions, including corneal scarring, keratoconus, Fuchs' dystrophy, and other conditions where the superficial or deep layers of the cornea are damaged or diseased.

Unlike traditional full-thickness corneal transplants, lamellar keratoplasty preserves the integrity of the eye's structural layers, offering a less invasive alternative with faster recovery times and a lower risk of complications like graft rejection.

The procedure is particularly beneficial in patients who have conditions where only a specific part of the cornea is diseased, allowing the ophthalmologist to target and treat the affected area while maintaining the healthy layers of the cornea.

There are two main types of lamellar keratoplasty:

Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK): In this procedure, the anterior layers of the cornea are replaced, leaving the posterior layers intact. It is typically used for conditions like keratoconus.

Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK): This surgery focuses on replacing the endothelial layer (the innermost layer of the cornea) and is commonly used for conditions like Fuchs' dystrophy.

Both procedures aim to restore visual clarity and improve the overall function of the cornea while minimizing the risk of rejection and complications.

Lamellar keratoplasty is used to treat various corneal disorders that affect the layers of the cornea, primarily the anterior or endothelial layers. These conditions may require surgery when non-surgical treatments, such as glasses or contact lenses, are insufficient.