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Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK)

Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK)

Category(ies): Cornea
Contributor: Jesse Vislisel, MD
Photographer: Brice Critser, CRA

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is a partial-thickness cornea transplant procedure that involves selective transplantation of the corneal stroma, leaving the native Descemet membrane and endothelium in place. Read the related article for more information regarding modern corneal transplantation techniques.

post-op eye after DALK for keratoconus.
Figure 1: The post-operative appearance of a patient who underwent DALK for keratoconus.
3 year post-op eye after DALK for keratoconus with sutures removed.
Figure 2: A clear DALK graft 3 years after the procedure with all sutures removed.
3 year post-op eye after DALK for keratoconus with sutures removed.
Figure 3a: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrating the redundant host Descemet membrane and endothelium in poor apposition to the graft tissue
3 year post-op eye after DALK for keratoconus with sutures removed.
Figure 3b: A clear DALK graft 3 years after the procedure with all sutures removed.