Microkeratome-assisted posterior keratoplasty.

Microkeratome-assisted posterior keratoplasty is a new surgical technique that may be valuable in treating patients with corneal decompensation secondary to endothelial dysfunction. A hinged anterior stromal flap is fashioned in the host cornea using a microkeratome, and the diseased posterior stroma and endothelium are resected. A complementary donor stromal button is prepared using a microkeratome and an artificial anterior chamber. The donor button is transplanted and secured with sutures, and the flap is repositioned. The flap can be lifted later to remove the sutures or to correct residual refractive errors using an excimer laser. This technique may allow the use of infant corneal donor tissue and may improve the outcomes of posterior keratoplasty.