Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40661248›Full record

ArticleClinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)2025

Outcomes of Repeat Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Keratoconus: Case Series.

Omar Kirat, Rafah Fairaq, Mohammed AlMutlak, Raneem S AlQahtani, Ghadah A AlHussein, Sara AlHilali

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Omar KiratAnterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Rafah FairaqAnterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0002-0105-7055
Mohammed AlMutlakAnterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Raneem S AlQahtaniSurgery Department, Aldiriyah Hospital - Riyadh Third Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ghadah A AlHusseinSurgery Department, Aldiriyah Hospital - Riyadh Third Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sara AlHilaliAnterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0001-9617-6403

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: To report the incidence, indications, and clinical outcomes of repeat deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in keratoconus patients. Methods: Case series. Results: This retrospective study included all repeat DALK procedures for keratoconus performed at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) between 2016 and 2024. Patient demographics, surgical techniques, complications, and outcomes were analyzed. Among 2136 primary DALK procedures, only 0.66% (14 eyes) required repeat keratoplasty. The mean age at the time of repeat DALK was 32 and the mean follow-up duration was 30 months. Indications included lipid keratopathy (28.6%), persistent epithelial defect with severe immune reaction (14.3%), high irregular astigmatism (14.3%), and stromal scarring (7.1%). Graft exchange alone was sufficient in most cases (64%), while larger trephination and further dissection (22%) were performed for stromal scars or host rim ectasia. Postoperative complications (43%) included loose sutures (36%), elevated intraocular pressure (7%), and cataract formation (7%). The overall graft survival rate was 93%, with one failure due to poor compliance with postoperative steroids and follow-ups. Visual recovery was favorable, with 57% achieving 20/40 or better. Conclusion: Repeat DALK is a safe and effective alternative to penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for failed primary DALK, offering high graft survival and favorable visual outcomes while minimizing immune-related complications. Postoperative adherence and timely steroid management are critical for optimizing success. Further studies comparing repeat DALK and repeat PK are needed to assess long-term endothelial health and visual stability.

Indexed as

(DALK)deep anterior lamellar keratoplastykeratoconusrepeat keratoplasty

Identifiers

PMID40661248
PMCPMC12258223

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.