5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  Sheraz Daya advocates DALK because it replaces diseased anterior corneal tissue while preserving a normal endothelial cell layer.

• 2

  Daya cited UK registry data showing a 7% risk of rejection and failure within 3 years after full-thickness grafting for keratoconus.

• 3

  Daya said DALK preserves the posterior cornea and avoids endothelial cell loss that can cause full-thickness grafts to fail over time.

• 4

  DALK is closed-system surgery, whereas penetrating keratoplasty opens the eye and carries risks including expulsive hemorrhage, infection, and glaucoma.

• 5

  DALK use is increasing globally, but the United States performs about 900 to 1,000 cases annually despite an estimated 40,000 eligible cases.