Dr. Ashish Kumar, K14338, Dr. Mano Ranjan Das
Purpose: Comparision of PK with DALK in the contralateral eyes of the same patients.
Methods: It is a retrospective study where PK was done in one eye & DALK in the contralateral eye during 2006-14. BCVA, refractive cylinder & adverse events were compared.
Results: Of the 9 patients identified, Keratoconus(7) was the most common indication followed by lattice(1) and macular dystrophy(1).The mean followup was 46.2 months for PK and 19.4 months for DALK. There was significant differences in PK and DALK groups, in patients achieving 6/6 or better(50% vs 0%,P<0.0001), 6/12 or better(75% vs 37.5%,p<0.0001), 6/18 or better(100 vs 62.5%,p<0.0001) respectively. Each PK eye had a significantly better BCVA than contralateral DALK eye(paired t-test, p<0.05). Graft rejection, steroid related cataract & raised IOP, traumatic dehiscence were seen with equal frequency in both.
Conclusion: PK has a better visual outcome compared to DALK for corneal stromal pathologies. Both DALK & PK are equally safe.