On-lay lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of keratoconus

Abstract

On-lay lamellar keratoplasty was performed in 29 patients who had keratoconus. Twelve patients (>1 year follow-up) showed an average decrease in keratometry of 913±202 (mean±SE) D; 6 patients (6-11 months follow-up) showed an average of 10·5±2·88 D. Visual acuity continued to improve for about one year after surgery. Six patients with best visual acuities of 20/20 before surgery showed an average visual acuity of 20/29±ll (mean±SD) 4 months after surgery; 4 with more than a year of follow-up achieved an average of 20/26±9. Four patients with 20/40 preoperatively achieved an average of 20/63±33 four months after surgery; 3 with more than a year of follow-up showed an average of 20/38±13. All patients with successful grafts can now tolerate contact lenses for daily wear.