DALK
deep anterior lamellar Keratoplasty
In this technique, only the anterior part of the cornea is excised and replaced by a partial thickness transplant. The technique is very challenging and best results are seen with the “big bubble” technique using air for separating the corneal layers at a very deep level. If the separation is not successful, this technique can be converted anytime into a perforating keratoplasty procedure (PKP). The advantages of this technique is more stability, less endothelial cell loss due to the surgery and lower rejection rates compared to PKP.