PURPOSE: To describe a case of traumatic wound dehiscence after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).

 

METHOD:Observational case report.

 

CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old man who had undergone DALK using big-bubble technique for keratoconus 3 months earlier presented to emergency room after blunt trauma. On examination, visual acuity was counting fingers at 2 m. The corneal graft wound dehisced from 12 to 3 o'clock (90 degrees) with localized suture ruptures, but the anterior chamber was deep and the Seidel test was negative. Surprisingly, there was intact Descemet's membrane prolapsed through the corneal wound gap.

 

CONCLUSION: This case indicates that intact Descemet's membrane remaining after big-bubble technique might reduce the severity of ocular injury after traumatic wound dehiscence.