Cornea & External Diseases-Epikeratophakia

Epikeratophakia demonstrating a layer of corneal lenticule tissue over the host cornea.

Refractive surgical procedure when a lamellar disc from a donor cornea or commercial corneal lenticule is placed over the de-epithelialized host cornea and sutured into a prepared groove on the host cornea
Indications include aphakia, myopia and keratoconus
The technique is not commonly available due to:
- Limited supply of human donor lenticule
- Poorly predictable refractive outcome
- Most patients require up to 1 year to achieve BCVA
- Common irregular astigmatism because of possible distortions occurring with shaping and suturing the lenticule

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