Therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty with an automated microkeratome

Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) is the predominant form of corneal transplan tation because both manual and automated lamellar keratoplasty are technica lly difficult and lead to complications such as irregularities and scarring . A microkeratome for laser in situ keratomileusis can be used to overcome these disadvantages. We describe a technique of lamellar keratoplasty perfo rmed with an automated microkeratome to treat corneal opacities in the ante rior third of the cornea. This easy, accurate technique leads to good visua l results and represents a good alternative to PKP in treating anterior cor neal opacities. J Cataract Refract Surg 2001; 27:1161-1165 (C) 2001 ASCRS a nd ESCRS.