Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Corneal transplantation comprises optical penetrating corneal transplantation and therapeutic corneal transplantation, which aimed to recover the corneal transparency, increase visual acuity or reconstruct corneal integrity.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical results in improving the success rate and reducing complications following deep lamellar corneal transplantation and penetrating corneal transplantation.
METHODS: A total of 43 cases (43 eyes) receiving deep lamellar corneal transplantation and penetrating corneal transplantation were selected, including 26 cases (26 eyes) receiving deep lamellar corneal transplantation and 17 patients (17 eyes) receiving penetrating corneal transplantation. Donor corneas were from donations after death and preserved within 24 h in 4 ℃ wet room. Routine anti-inflammatory medication was used following transplantation. All patients were followed up for 3-37 months. The naked vision and corrected visual acuity were observed before and after transplantation, the therapeutic effect, rejection and complication were compared. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The naked vision and corrected visual acuity in the two groups were improved after transplantation (P < 0.05). One case suffered from posterior elastic membrane perforation and 2 cases of rejection following deep lamellar corneal transplantation. One case suffered glaucoma, 1 case with anterior synechia, and 4 cases with rejection following penetrating corneal transplantation. Deep lamellar corneal transplantation can reduce the incidence of rejection and complications, though there were no differences in restoring vision compared with penetrating corneal transplantation, patients with normal corneal endothelial lesions may be advised to select deep lamellar corneal transplantation.