Central penetrating keratoplasty with peripheral intrastromal tuck.
To report a new technique of central penetrating keratoplasty with peripheral intrastromal tuck in cases of chronic corneal decompensation. Central penetrating keratoplasty with peripheral intrastromal tuck was undertaken in 8 eyes with chronic corneal decompensation. An 8-mm donor tissue with a peripheral flange of 2 mm was fashioned and sutured into a 7.5-mm recipient bed having a 2-mm intralamellar pocket. Sixteen full-thickness interrupted sutures were passed. Suture removal was possible as early as 1 month, and all sutures were removed by 4 months. Postoperative BCVA improved to 20/40 to 20/80 in all eyes, and astigmatism was <4 diopters in all cases at the last follow-up, which ranged from 5 to 16 months. Central penetrating keratoplasty with peripheral intrastromal tuck is a useful technique because it allows early suture removal and visual rehabilitation.