DALK

When is it preferable to undergo DALK over conventional corneal transplantation?

Patients are advised DALK when only the front portion of cornea is diseased

The diseases include
- Keratoconus

-Pellucid marginal degeneration ( PMD)

-Corneal stromal dystrohies

-Corneal stromal scarring after chemical burns, trauma

-Autoimmune diseases associated with corneal melt like Moorens ulcer, terrier marginal degeneration

-Ocular surface diseases associated with disease in front portion of cornea such as Stevens Johnson syndrome ( SJS), Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), OCP ( Ocular cicatricial Pemphigoid)

-After removal of pterygium, ocular surface tumors , dermoid

What are the advantages of DALK over PK ?

Advantages include
- Absence of endothelial rejection

- Improved endothelial cell survival
- Reduced risk of choroidal hemorrhage and endophthalmitis

- Reduced requirement of steroids for long term and hence reduced incidence of cataract and glaucoma