What is a Dalk?

What is a Dalk?

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is a surgical procedure for removing the corneal stroma down to Descemet’s membrane. It is most useful for the treatment of corneal disease in the setting of a normally functioning endothelium.

Is Dalk a corneal transplant?

DALK is a partial-thickness corneal transplant which involves only the donor stroma, leaving the recipient’s own Descemet membrane and endothelium.

How is Dalk performed?

DALK is a partial-thickness cornea transplant procedure that involves selective transplantation of the corneal stroma, leaving the native Descemet membrane and endothelium in place.

What does Dsek stand for?

DSEK stands for Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty, and is also known as DSAEK, Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty. The two names are used interchangeably.

What is DSEK eye surgery?

In a DSEK procedure, the surgeon removes the inner-most layer of the endothelium along with Descemet’s membrane. That section is then replaced with a delicate healthy layer of donated human cornea tissue. Using specialized tools, the new tissue is positioned into the cornea. The new tissue heals without sutures.

How is DSEK performed?

With a DSEK procedure, only the abnormal inner lining of the cornea is removed. A thin, circular disc is then removed from the inner lining of a donor cornea. This is folded and placed inside of the eye where an air bubble pushes it in place until it heals in an appropriate position.

What is Dsaek eye surgery?

DSAEK is a partial thickness cornea transplant procedure that involves selective removal of the patient’s Descemet membrane and endothelium, followed by transplantation of donor corneal endothelium in addition to donor corneal stroma (Figure 8).

What is DSEK eye?

DSEK is a corneal transplant technique where the unhealthy, diseased, posterior portion of a patient’s cornea is removed and replaced with healthy donor tissue obtained from the eye bank. Unlike the PK, the DSEK procedure utilizes a much smaller surgical incision and requires no corneal sutures.

What is the difference between DMEK and DSEK?

Both DMEK and DSAEK remove Descemet’s membrane and endothelium. DMEK adds only a new Descemet’s membrane and endothelium. DSAEK also adds a new Descemet’s membrane and endothelium but with a layer of donor stroma.

What does it feel like after Dsek?

For the first few days following your DSAEK surgery, you’ll feel scratchiness in the eye from your incision. This should pass within a week. Your vision will be blurry after surgery due to swelling and the air bubble used to keep the transplant in place.