Complications and treatment for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

Objective To analyze the complications and treatment for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.Methods In a retrospective case series study,a total of 62 patients (62 eyes) who had complications from deep lamellar keratoplasty that was performed in our department between January 2005 and February 2012 were included in the study.Intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed.Different techniques were used based on specific complications.Results The Decement's membrane was perforated in 13 eyes during the operation.Postoperative complications included double anterior chamber (16 eyes).Decement's membrane perforation (13 eyes),secondary glaucoma (8 eyes),prematurely loosened sutures (7 eyes),recurrence (14 eyes),rejection (4 eyes),unhealed corneal epithelium and stromatolysis (5 eyes).The conditions of all the patients were under control and they recovered well after appropriate treatment.Conclusion Decement's membrane perforation and double anterior chamber were the most common complications.Deep lamellar keratoplasty will achieve good long-term results if complications are minimized and properly treated when they occur. Key words: Deep anterior lamellar; Keratoplasty; Postoperative complications; Decement's membrane perferation