DRLT Preformed by Zaman Shah
In Doughnut Refractive Lenticule Transplantation (DRLT), a lenticule (a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue) is reshaped to be a doughnut or ring-like structure. This technique is primarily used for advanced Keratoconus treatment, to strengthen the cornea and improve vision. The doughnut shape is achieved by removing the centre of a standard lenticule, often derived from a SMILE procedure, and then precisely placing this ring around the cone-shaped area of the cornea.
What is a Lenticule?
A lenticule is a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue that can be extracted or implanted during various refractive surgery procedures like SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction). In SMILE, the lenticule is removed from the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea.
What is DRLT?
DRLT, or Doughnut Refractive Lenticule Transplantation, is a specialised procedure where a SMILE lenticule is modified into a doughnut shape and implanted into the cornea to treat Keratoconus.
How is it used in Keratoconus?
1. Keratoconus:
Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea thins and bulges outward, causing distorted vision.
2. Strengthening the Cornea:
By placing the doughnut-shaped lenticule around the cone, it provides structural support, helping to stabilize the cornea and improve its shape.
3. Improving Vision:
The lenticule also helps correct refractive errors (like astigmatism) associated with Keratoconus, leading to improved vision.
Key Aspects of DRLT:
The procedure often utilizes lenticules obtained from SMILE surgery, which are then modified.
DRLT involves precise placement of the lenticule, often using femtosecond laser technology, to ensure optimal biomechanical support and refractive correction.
The size and shape of the doughnut lenticule can be customised based on the individual patient's corneal characteristics and refractive needs.
DRLT can lead to significant improvements in corneal shape, visual acuity, and overall quality of vision in Keratoconus patients.
The publication outlines a comparative analysis of doughnut lenticule sizes (3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, and 4.0 mm inner diameters) used in Doughnut Refractive Lenticule Transplantation (DRLT) for Keratoconus.
It discusses clinical parameters including cone morphology coverage, lenticule thickness, pocket depth, and biomechanical outcomes. The aim is to guide surgeons in selecting optimal configurations for individualised Keratoconus treatment.