Mushroom configuration can perform corneal cuts

Femtosecond laser (FSL)-assisted mushroom configuration deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is reliable and reproducible, stated a recent noncomparative case series.

A research group led by Dr R. Shehadeh-Mashor, Department of Ophthalmology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada, performed a noncomparative case series on 19 eyes of 19 patients who had undergone FLS-assisted mushroom configuration DALK. Data was available for assessment at varying times between 1 month to a year postoperatively.

Preoperative BCVA was 20/108 and at 3 and 13 months postoperatively the BCVA was 20/46 and 20/35, respectively. The most significant change in mean spherical equivalent was at 3 months and there was a 56% reduction in mean keratometric cylinder at 6 months.

The complications included three cases of small Descemet membrane perforation, three stromal rejections resolved with topical steroids and six cases of steroid-related IOP rise.

The procedure could mean earlier visual rehabilitation because of the mechanical stability and wound healing advantages of stepped corneal wounds.

The abstract can be found in the latest issue of Cornea.