[Descemet anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). Indications, surgical technique and results].

Although the cornea and the anterior chamber maintain an immune privilege that guarantees the survival of the majority of the corneal grafts in patients treated with penetrating keratoplasty, there are some cases in which the ocular surface status or the baseline conditions of the patient determine an immune rejection in the recipient which means graft failure. DALK technique preserves the endothelium (avoiding the majority of the anterior chamber immune reactions) and restores the anterior surface of the cornea to obtain a good visual acuity. We describe the surgical technique step by step, indications and possible intraoperative and postoperative complications.