• intrastromal lamellar laser keratoplasty
• superficial flap

Lamellar keratoplasty has usually been performed taking a trephine to delineate the extent of the tissue to be excised, and a knife or similar instrument to remove the lamellar corneal tissue from the underlying deep corneal bed. In a similar way, the lamellar donor tissue was prepared and inserted into the recipient bed. The depth of the lamellar excision extended from the corneal epithelial surface to the deep corneal stroma. Marked disadvantages of the technique have been pronounced corneal astigmatism and optical insufficiencies of the interface between the lamellar graft and the recipient corneal bed caused by irregularities of both surfaces. The purpose of the present …