Stepwise Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy in Treatment of Irregular Astigmatism After Penetrating Keratoplasty and Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

Outcomes of Photorefractive Keratectomy After Corneal Graft: Brief Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this brief review is to analyze the outcomes of customized photorefractive keratectomy in the correction of refractive errors and irregular astigmatism after corneal graft surgery.

METHODS

Two reviewers (M.S.K. and J.L.A.) independently performed a literature search in the MEDLINE/PubMed database, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate from January 2001 to October 2023. To analyze the efficacy, safety, and predictability of the procedure, primary outcomes such as mean change in uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, and root mean square value (RMS) of higher order aberrations were studied. The complications and adverse reactions were analyzed to predict the safety of this procedure.

RESULTS

We identified those studies where customized (topography guided/wavefront guided) photograph refractive keratectomy was performed in patients with postkeratoplasty. Significant change in uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, RMS of higher order aberrations, refractive cylinder, and mean spherical equivalent were observed. Corneal haze was the most common complication documented; however, this was more commonly documented by authors who have not used Mitomycin C in their patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We found out that customized photograph refractive keratectomy is a safe, effective, and predictable method of treatment for refractive error and irregular astigmatism after keratoplasty.

Safety and efficacy of a laser refractive procedure in eyes with previous keratoplasty: systematic review and meta-analysis

Post-keratoplasty (KP) patients' visual acuity can be severely limited by ametropia. Irregular astigmatisms are frequently encountered in these patients and is commonly associated with high degrees of hyperopia or myopia. This systematic review investigates the safety and efficacy of laser refractive surgery for post KP vision correction. 31 studies with 683 participants (732 eyes) enrolled in this review. Mean astigmatism improved significantly (mean difference [MD] = -2.70, 95% CI, -3.13 to -2.28, P < .0001). As well as Mean spherical equivalent (MD = -3.35, 95% CI, -3.92 to -2.78, P < .0001). From 586 participants 5.8% lost 2 or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity after treatment. The proportion of eyes with 20/40 uncorrected distance visual acuity or better was reported and the percentage was 46.79% overall. Laser refractive procedures (laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK] or photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] or transepithelial PRK) on eyes with corneal transplantation were found to be relatively safe and effective. Our systematic review shows there is improvement in all outcomes. Main adverse effects were haze for PRK and epithelial ingrowth for LASIK.

Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments Implantation After Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Astigmatism Correction: Mid-term and Long-term Follow-up

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of implanting intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) using a femtosecond laser for correcting astigmatism in patients who had previous deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) throughout a 5-year follow-up period.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with previous DALK and astigmatism ≥3.00 D who underwent Ferrara-type ICRS implantation. The manifest refraction, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity (logMAR), and corneal topography were recorded preoperatively and at 6, 12, 36, and 60 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

The mean UDVA (logMAR scale) improved from 1.39 ± 0.55 preoperatively to 0.71 ± 0.37 at 6 months postoperatively ( P < 0.0001). The mean CDVA (logMAR) significantly improved from 0.36 ± 0.17 to 0.22 ± 0.12 at 6 months after surgery ( P < 0.0001). Both UDVA and CDVA remained unchanged throughout the follow-up ( P = 0.09). Postoperatively, no eyes lost lines of CDVA compared to preoperatively, and around 80% of the eyes gained lines of CDVA. The safety index remained stable at a value of 1.4 throughout the follow-up. The refractive cylinder decreased from -6.86 ± 2.62 D preoperatively to -2.33 ± 1.09D at 6 months postoperatively ( P < 0.0001), and subsequently, it was stable over the postoperative period ( P = 0.2). The maximum and minimum keratometry measurements significantly decreased after surgery and remained stable over the postoperative follow-up period ( P > 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the long-term viability of Ferrara-type ICRS implantation using a femtosecond laser as a surgical alternative for astigmatism correction in post-DALK eyes.

Laser in situ keratomileusis versus Artisan lens implantation in correcting ametropia after penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus

PURPOSE

To compare the long-term safety and efficacy of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with Artisan phakic intraocular lens implantation to correct refractive errors after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for keratoconus.

METHODS

This retrospective comparative interventional case series included a total of 33 consecutive keratoconus eyes that had previous PK and received subsequent LASIK (n = 16) or Artisan lens implantation (n = 17) were included in this study. Outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refractive error, and complications.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, the UDVA of ≥20/40 was achieved in none of the LASIK group compared to 62.5% of eyes in the Artisan group (P < 0.001); the respective values for CDVA of ≥20/40 were 87.5 and 94.1% (P = 0.51). Spherical equivalent refraction decreased from - 6.97 ± 1.50 D preoperatively to - 4.20 ± 2.05 D postoperatively in the LASIK group (P < 0.001) and from - 10.79 ± 2.15 D preoperatively to - 2.13 ± 1.23 D postoperatively in the Artisan group (P < 0.001). There was no significant change in the refractive astigmatism in LASIK group (P = 0.30) or Artisan group (P = 0.11). The efficacy and safety indices were significantly better for Artisan (0.82 ± 0.34 and 1.13 ± 0.30, respectively) than for LASIK (0.22 ± 0.17 and 0.85 ± 0.24, respectively, P ≤ 0.006 for both comparisons). While refractive error changed significantly from postoperative year 3 to the final visit in the LASIK group, it remained stable in the Artisan group through follow-up period. No significant complications were observed in any group.

CONCLUSION

Artisan lens implantation provided superior and stable visual outcomes compared to LASIK for the management of post PK refractive errors in keratoconus eyes.

Topography-Guided Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy for the Treatment of Persistent and Visually-Significant Adenoviral Corneal Infiltrates

Purpose

To evaluate visual and refractive outcomes of customized photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in subjects with persistent subepithelial corneal opacities secondary to adenoviral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC).

Patients and Methods

Prospective study, which recruited patients with persistent and visually-significant post-EKC corneal opacities unresponsive to prolonged topical therapy (6 months or more). Outcome measures: uncorrected and best-corrected distance visual acuity, subjective refractive astigmatism, keratometric astigmatism, spherical equivalent, minimum corneal thickness, and corneal morphological irregularity index. Subjects were followed for 12 months post-treatment.

Results

Eighteen eyes of 18 patients aged between 32 and 75 years treated with topography-guided transepithelial PRK with iRes excimer laser (iVIS Technologies, Taranto, Italy) from June 2020 to July 2021. After 12 months, the mean UDVA improved from 1.0±0.00LogMAR pre-op to 0.15±0.154LogMAR, and the mean CDVA improved from 0.4±0.41LogMAR pre-op to 0.0±0.00LogMAR. With respect to UDVA, all treated eyes (100%) showed an improvement of 6 ETDRS lines or more and with respect to CDVA, 9 out of 18 eyes (50%) showed an improvement of 6 ETDRS lines or more. The mean ablation depth was 54.7±5.9μm. A statistically significant improvement was observed in all topographic indices. No infiltrate recurrence, post-treatment corneal haze, ocular hypertension or other side effects were observed throughout the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Topography-guided PRK could be considered an effective and safe treatment option to improve visual acuity in patients affected by persistent and visually-significant subepithelial corneal infiltrates caused by EKC.

Management of post-keratoplasty ametropia

Even after a successful corneal transplant, patients experience severe refractive errors, impeding their rehabilitation and satisfaction. Refractive errors can be caused by recipient pathology and corneal thickness, as well as intraoperative factors such as donor-host discrepancy, recipient's eccentric trephination, vitreous length, wound apposition, technique of suturing, and suture material. Also, wound healing and the interim between keratoplasty and suture removal contribute to astigmatism. Lamellar keratoplasty outperforms penetrating keratoplasty in terms of endothelial cell loss and endothelial graft rejection, yet the risk of developing refractive errors is comparable. Nonsurgical interventions such as spectacles and lenses fail to provide desirable vision in cases with high astigmatism and corneal irregularity. When these limitations are encountered, surgical interventions including incisional keratotomy, wedge resection, laser refractive surgeries, intracorneal segments, and intraocular lens implantation are employed. However, occasionally, none of these approaches deliver the desired effects, leading to the need for a repeat keratoplasty.

Refractive surgery after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: a review of the literature

PURPOSE

The main objective of this work is to present an updated review of the different surgical procedures for the correction of residual refractive errors following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) surgery.

METHODS

A review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The search was conducted in January 2022 and was limited to articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The information extracted from each publication included sample size, mean follow-up time, pre- and post-operative uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), pre- and post-operative refraction and spherical equivalent (SE), safety and efficacy indexes and complications.

RESULTS

Residual ametropias, mainly high astigmatism and myopia, and the resulting anisometropia are likely to occur following DALK. They become a limiting factor and may lead to unsatisfactory visual restoration, therefore affecting patients' quality of vision and life. Alternative surgical interventions may be required to treat this residual ametropia, such as corneal refractive surgery or intraocular lens implantation. A total of 47 relevant articles were studied in detail. Different refractive surgery techniques have been shown to be effective and safe for the correction of ametropia following the DALK procedure and to improve the patient's quality of vision, although more research is needed to confirm long-term results.

CONCLUSION

The final refractive technique will depend on different factors, such as the amount of ametropia, the condition of the cornea or the patient's individual needs, economics, and occupational demands.

Three-year follow-up of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens with a central port design after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

Background

To evaluate clinical outcomes of the Visian implantable collamer lens (ICL) with a central port to correct myopia and astigmatism after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for keratoconus throughout 3 years of follow-up.

Methods

This study included 20 eyes of 20 patients that underwent V4c ICL (13 eyes with a spherical ICL and 7 eyes with a toric ICL) implantation after DALK. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (ECD), and vault were analyzed.

Results

The mean UDVA improved from the preoperative 1.18 ± 0.33 logMAR to 0.25 ± 0.14 logMAR at 6 months after surgery (P < 0.0001) and remained unchanged throughout the whole follow-up (P = 0.4). All eyes gained lines of CDVA compared to preoperative values. At the last follow-up visit, all eyes achieved CDVA of 0.2 logMAR or better and 13 eyes (65%) 0.1 logMAR or better. At 6 months post-surgery, all eyes (100%) had a spherical equivalent within ± 1.50 D, and 19 (95%) within ± 1.00 D. The mean manifest spherical equivalent was stable over the postoperative follow-up (P = 0.25). No significant increase in IOP occurred in any case throughout the 3 years of follow-up. The loss in ECD from the preoperative baseline at the last follow-up visit was 2.27%.

Conclusions

The clinical outcomes suggest that the V4c ICL implantation for correction of myopia and regular astigmatism in post-DALK eyes was satisfactory in terms of effectiveness, safety, and stability during 3 years of follow-up.

Femto-LASIK after Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty to Correct Residual Astigmatism: A Long-Term Case Series Study

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK) to correct residual astigmatism after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). Methods: This retrospective case series study included 10 eyes that underwent Femto-LASIK after a DALK. The refractive error, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were registered. The postoperative follow-up ranged between 36 and 60 months. Results: All surgeries were uneventful, with no intra- or postoperative complications. The mean UDVA (Snellen scale) rose from 0.13 ± 0.05 to 0.47 ± 0.15 six months after Femto-LASIK (p < 0.001). All cases experienced a significant improvement in UDVA. None of the eyes lost lines of CDVA, and seven eyes (70%) improved the CDVA compared to preoperative values. The refractive cylinder changed from a preoperative value of −3.88 ± 1.00 D to −0.93 ± 0.39 six months after Femto-LASIK (p < 0.0001). In eight eyes (80%), the UDVA and refractive outcomes remained stable at postoperative follow-up visits. In contrast, one eye experienced a refractive regression over the follow-up. TCT and CCT were stable at the different postoperative follow-up visits. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Femto-LASIK might safely and effectively corrects residual astigmatism after DALK. Despite these encouraging results, further long-term studies, including a larger number of cases, are required to confirm the safety of the procedure. The refractive stability in eyes with prior RK might be lower than for other DALK indications.

Topography-Guided Trans-Epithelial No-Touch Photorefractive Keratectomy for High Irregular Astigmatism After Penetrating Keratoplasty: A Prospective 12-Months Follow-Up

Purpose

To describe the efficacy and safety of topography-guided trans-epithelial no-touch photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for the correction of highly irregular astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Patients and Methods

A prospective study was conducted on 12 eyes of 12 patients affected by highly irregular astigmatism after PK for keratoconus. Each patient underwent a single-step topography-guided trans-epithelial ablation (CIPTA^®2 software, iVis Technologies). Corneal topography data as well as uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and spherical equivalent (SEQ) were collected preoperatively (T0) and at 1 (T1), 3 (T2) and 12 (T3) months after surgery.

Results

Mean UDVA and CDVA significantly improved, respectively, from 1.22±0.17 and 0.18±0.03LogMAR at T0 to 0.63±0.17 (CI 95%, P<0.001) and 0.04±0.03LogMAR at T3 (CI 95%, P<0.001). Mean SEQ significantly decreased from −3.75±1.32 to –1.60±1.32D (CI 95%, P<0.02). Mean subjective refractive astigmatism (SRAST) and mean keratometry astigmatism (SimK) significantly decreased, respectively, from 7.83±0.98 and 8.10±1.48D to 2.83±0.98 and 5.29±1.48D (CI 95%, P<0.001). Corneal Morphological Irregularity index (CMI) significantly decreased from 62.76±7.26 µm to 23.24±7.26 µm (CI 95%, P<0.001). Apart from a single episode of graft rejection 5 days after ablation, successfully reverted with topical steroids, no other complications were noted. A mild corneal haze was observed in two eyes (16.7%) at 3 months post-PRK, and no regression was observed at 12 months.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates the safety and long-term effectiveness of a trans-epithelial topography-guided ablation in the treatment of post-PK highly irregular astigmatism.

Aberrometric, Keratometric, and Visual Outcomes After Trans-Epithelial Topography-Guided Phototherapeutic Keratectomy for the Treatment of Irregular Corneas

Purpose

To assess the safety, aberrometric and keratometric changes, and stability of trans-epithelial topography-guided phototherapeutic keratectomy (TE-TG-PTK) with mitomycin C (MMC) using the ALLEGRO Topolyzer platform for the treatment of irregular astigmatism.

Methods

This is a retrospective case series including 57 eyes that underwent TE-TG-PTK + MMC using the ALLEGRO Topolyzer platform for the treatment of irregular astigmatism. CDVA, manifest refraction (MR), keratometry readings, and aberrometry readings were analyzed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

Causes of corneal irregularity included non-infectious leucoma (n=23), infectious leucoma (n=7), adenoviral keratitis (n=20), corneal haze (n=2), post-penetrant keratoplasty (PKP) (n=1), and others (n=4). Overall, 76% of the eyes (n=40) gained lines of vision; patients gained 1, and 2 or more lines of vision in 76%, and 38% of cases, respectively. Only 1 patient (2%) lost 5 lines of vision. Mean preoperative CDVA (LogMAR) was 0.37 ±0.31 and improved to 0.14 ±0.18 (p<0.001) at final follow-up (12 months). CDVA remained unchanged in 10 eyes (21%). No significant changes were observed in mean keratometry (Kmean) and keratometric astigmatism readings. Regarding aberrometry, only changes in coma proved to be significant 6 months after surgery (P<0.01). No intraoperative/postoperative complications were reported.

Conclusion

At final follow-up, significant improvements were observed in CDVA and coma. TE-TG-PTK + MMC proved to be an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of corneal irregular astigmatism due to several causes.

Topography-Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy for Postkeratoplasty Astigmatism: Long-Term Outcomes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy (TG-PRK) for postkeratoplasty refractive error correction.

METHODS

A retrospective interventional case series of 54 eyes of 50 patients who underwent previous corneal transplants. Unaided distance visual acuity (UDVA) and best corrected visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, mean central keratometric value, mean keratometric astigmatism, and postoperative complications were reviewed.

RESULTS

Final follow-up was at mean 31 (±17) months. Sixteen point seven percent of eyes underwent more than 1 surface ablation. Mean UDVA improved from 0.96 ± 0.06 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) preoperatively to 0.46 ± 0.05 LogMAR of resolution at the final follow-up (Bonferroni, P < 0.0001). Mean UDVA improved by 4.4 Snellen lines. Improvement in CDVA was not significant, although a significant improvement was noted when eyes with preoperative CDVA <20/40 were analyzed separately (t test, P = 0.005). Mean astigmatism improved from -4.4 ± 0.26 D preoperatively to -2.4 ± 0.26 D at the final follow-up (Bonferroni, P < 0.0001), whereas mean SEQ improved from -2.5 ± 0.39 D preoperatively to -1.1 ± 0.25 D (Bonferroni, P = 0.02). In total, 9% at the preoperative visit and 55% at the final visit had less than 2 D of astigmatism, respectively. Keratometric astigmatism decreased from 5.24 ± 0.36 D preoperatively to 2.98 ± 0.34 D at the final follow-up (t test, P < 0.0001). No eyes developed clinically significant haze, 14.8% developed regression, and 13% had a reduction of 2 or more CDVA lines.

CONCLUSIONS

Postkeratoplasty topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy has good long-term efficacy and safety, resulting in significant UDVA, refractive, and keratometric improvement. Regression can occur after the first year of treatment, emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up.

Factors Associated With Improvement in Vision Following Femtosecond Astigmatic Keratotomy in Post-Keratoplasty Keratoconus Patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate factors associated with improvement in vision following femtosecond astigmatic keratotomy (FSAK) in patients with keratoconus post-keratoplasty.

DESIGN

Retrospective, interventional case series.

METHODS

The study took place in an institutional setting. This was a retrospective study that included patients with keratoconus who underwent FSAK for astigmatism following penetrating (PKP) or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). Success was defined as improvement in 3 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines (doubling of the visual angle) of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) or best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA).

RESULTS

A total of 56 eyes in 56 patients with keratoconus were included. Following FSAK, there was a significant improvement in UDVA (1.30 ± 0.49 to 0.87 ± 0.58 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution [logMAR]; P < .001), BSCVA (0.40 ± 0.26 to 0.27 ± 0.29 logMAR; P <.001), and corneal astigmatism (8.69 ± 2.72 to 3.92 ± 2.13 diopter [D]; P < .001). Success was achieved in 60.7% (34/56) of cases, and this group had a higher proportion of previous PKP (73.5% vs 45.5%; P = .03), worse preoperative UDVA (1.42 ± 0.47 vs 1.11 ± 0.47 logMAR; P = .03), and a greater preoperative manifest cylinder (7.56 ± 2.26 vs 5.72 ± 2.12 D; P = .01). In multiple regression analysis, PKP (vs DALK) (odds ratio [OR]: 8.52; P = .009), worse preoperative UDVA (OR: 9.08, P = .02), and greater preoperative cylinder (OR: 1.51; P = .04) were independently associated with success, and, when combined, led to a sensitivity and specificity of 84.6% and 93.8%, respectively, in predicting success. The optimal cutoff predicting success with a preoperative cylinder was a cylinder >6.75 D.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 60% of patients with keratoconus post-keratoplasty experience doubling of the visual angle following FSAK. Patients with previous PKP and a greater cylinder are more likely to benefit from this procedure. Separate nomograms for DALK and PKP patients may be warranted.

Factors predicting successful customized excimer laser treatment in irregular corneas

PURPOSE

To identify factors associated with a successful wavefront-guided customized treatment (WG-CT) with an excimer laser in highly aberrated corneas.

SETTING

VISSUM Alicante Spain.

DESIGN

Retrospective consecutive noncomparative case series.

METHODS

Treatment was performed with the WG-CT Amaris excimer laser using the ORK-CAM software for the calculation of the ablation profile. Eyes of patients with significantly aberrated corneas, including postrefractive and keratoplasty procedures or high irregular astigmatism with significant higher-order aberrations (HOAs) that had WG-CT were included. Refractive outcomes, HOAs, and visual outcomes were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with technical (based on HOAs) or refractive outcome success.

RESULTS

The study included 55 treatments of 51 eyes (35 patients). The postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.2 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution or better in 72% of the eyes, and the postoperative residual manifest refraction spherical equivalent was ±0.50 diopter in 56% of the eyes, whereas 11% of the eyes lost 1 line or more in corrected distance visual acuity. Successful reduction in the total root mean square (RMS) of HOAs occurred in 36 eyes (65%), and these eyes had a significantly higher preoperative RMS of HOAs (1.45 ± 0.93 μ vs 0.91 ± 0.34 μ, P = .003) and preoperative coma-like aberrations (1.09 ± 0.83 μ vs 0.55 ± 0.28 μ, P = .001). In multivariate analysis, posthyperopic treatment eyes were less likely to achieve refractive outcome success (odds ratio = 0.09, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

WG-CT in highly aberrated corneas had a limited refractive predictability. Eyes with preoperative coma-like aberrations are more likely to benefit from a reduction in HOAs. Posthyperopic treatment is associated with a higher rate of refractive surprises.

Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation After Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: Retrospective Case Series Analysis With Long-Term Follow-Up

Purpose

To report outcomes of phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) to correct high ametropia.

Setting

Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Portugal.

Methods

Retrospective case series with 11 eyes submitted to phakic IOL implantation after DALK. Main outcomes measured were uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA), refractive error components, tomographic parameters and endothelial cell density (ECD). The minimum follow-up was 3 years for all cases.

Results

Mean ECD loss was 8.7±6.7% at 1 year, 13.1±8.6% at 3 years (n=11; p=0.016, p=0.007, respectively) and 14.0±20.4% at 5 years (n=5, p=0.212). Mean logMAR UDVA increased from 1.27±0.90logMAR preoperatively to 0.16±0.15logMAR postoperatively (p≤0.001) and no statistically significant differences were registered during follow-up. All patients gained at least 5 lines of UDVA. 54.5% of the eyes gained 1 line in CDVA postoperative and only one eye lost one CDVA line through follow-up. Efficacy and safety indexes at 1 and 3 years were 1.01–0.97 and 1.24–1.21, respectively. Mean spherical equivalent was reduced from −7.84±4.63 D preoperatively to −1.05±1.07 D postoperatively (p=0.001). Mean percentage of reduction in refractive cylinder and spherical error was 83.8±15.8% and 73.1±31.5%, respectively, p≤0.001 for both. In one eye there was a significantly gradual ECD loss over 5 years follow-up and the patient will be submitted to IOL explant.

Conclusion

Phakic IOLs were effective for correction high ametropia after DALK, showing high efficacy and safety indexes with stability over time. However, it was registered a continuing endothelial cell loss postoperatively, which assumed to be higher than those reported in eyes without DALK.

Stepwise Combination of Femtosecond Astigmatic Keratotomy With Phacoemulsification and Toric Intraocular Lens Implantation in Treatment of Very High Postkeratoplasty Astigmatism

PURPOSE

To report the outcomes of stepwise combined femtosecond astigmatic keratotomy (FSAK) and phacoemulsification with toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the treatment of very high astigmatism after either penetrating keratoplasty or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, interventional case series including 8 eyes of 6 patients with very high astigmatism [≥8.00 diopter (D)] after either penetrating keratoplasty or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty who underwent FSAK, followed by phacoemulsification and toric IOL implantation. Outcome measures were corneal and manifest astigmatism and uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (UCVA, BSCVA).

RESULTS

The average age was 58.9 ± 5.1 years. The average follow-up time was 40.9 ± 43.8 months. Outcome measure changes after both FSAK and toric IOL implantation were: corneal astigmatism improved from 13.56 ± 4.81 D to 4.48 ± 2.83 D (P < 0.001), manifest astigmatism improved from 9.15 ± 3.86 to 1.46 ± 0.88 D (P = 0.011), UCVA improved from 1.69 ± 0.45 LogMAR (Snellen equivalent ∼20/980) to 0.23 ± 0.11 LogMAR (Snellen equivalent ∼20/33, P < 0.001), and BSCVA improved from 1.01 ± 0.71 LogMAR (Snellen equivalent ∼20/200) to 0.19 ± 0.11 LogMAR (Snellen equivalent ∼20/30, P = 0.015). BSCVA and UCVA at the last follow-up were 20/40 or better in all patients. All procedures were uneventful. Two eyes underwent photorefractive keratectomy after FSAK to regularize and further reduce astigmatism before toric IOL implantation. One patient underwent temporary compression suturing because of FSAK overcorrection.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined stepwise use of FSAK and phacoemulsification with toric IOL implantation was an effective and apparently safe approach in patients with very high postkeratoplasty astigmatism. Additional treatment using photorefractive keratectomy may be beneficial in some cases.