Evaluation of therapeutic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in acute ocular chemical burns

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in acute ocular chemical burns. METHODS: The study was conducted in 50 eyes of 50 patients (24 male, 26 female) with average age of 38.3+/-14.3 years. DALK in 5 eyes (10%), DALK with quadrant conjunctivo-limbal graft in 25 eyes (50%), and DALK with amniotic membrane in 20 eyes (40%) were performed along with conventional medical therapy. Controls who were matched in all respects (50 eyes) were given medical therapy only as they refused surgical intervention. RESULTS: Follow-up of cases ranged from 6 to 48 months (mean 21.5+/-14.18 months). Forty-three eyes (86%) could be restored with clear cornea as compared to 6% in control group. The visual acuity improvement was seen in 100% with good score (0.49+/-1.46) in DALK group as compared to 18% with low score (0.03+/-0.01) in control group (p<0.0001). Visual acuity improvement in DALK was 6/12 in 19 eyes (38%), 6/24 in 28 eyes (56%), and 6/36 in 3 eyes (6%) but was 3/60-6/60 in 6 eyes (12%) and finger counting only in 3 eyes (6%) in control group. Eyes with advanced grade II and grade III showed better improvement than those with burns of grade IV (p<0.05). The discomfort was relieved and epithelial healing was achieved immediately in DALK as compared to a prolonged course in control group (p<0.0001). Vascularization presented in 38% in DALK with least score (0.13+0.15) as compared to 100% in control group with high score (2.8+/-0.30). Perforation of cornea was seen only in 2 cases (4%) in DALK with low score (0.03+/-0.10) as compared to 88% in control group (1.33+/-0.20). Symblepharon was seen in 2% in DALK group as compared to 62% in control group. CONCLUSIONS: DALK with and without conjunctival or amniotic membrane transplantation is an effective technique in restoring the integrity of the eye with an excellent graft transparency in 86% and improvement in visual acuity in 100% of the acute chemical burns.