Posterior lamellar keratectomy for recalcitrant deep stromal keratitis: A case report

Purpose To describe a new technique for management of recalcitrant deep stromal keratitis using posterior lamellar keratectomy. Methods A 66-year-old pseudophakic male presented with deep stromal corneal infiltrates, extending from 2 to 4 o’clock in the vicinity of the limbus of the left eye, 3 months after phacoemulsification. The infiltrates failed to respond to empirical topical medications, anterior chamber wash and intrastromal injection. Posterior lamellar keratectomy was done to debulk the infectious load. In this technique the diseased posterior lamella was excised through a sclerocorneal lamellar pocket without a donor graft. Results The infection subsided within 2 weeks after posterior lamellar keratectomy. Patient achieved best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/60 with complete resolution of symptoms at 2 weeks follow up. Till the last follow-up at 6 months, the patient maintained BCVA of 20/60 with no sign of recurrence or corneal decompensation at the keratectomy site. Conclusion Posterior lamellar keratectomy is a simple, effective and inexpensive technique for management of small, peripheral, deep-seated recalcitrant keratitis. It leads to radical treatment of the disease like therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty but in a less invasive manner and without a donor graft.