AIM:To observe the changes of visual acuity,keratometry values and corneal endothelial cells after deep lamellar keratoplasty or penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus patients.METHODS:The keratoconus patients who accepted operations from January 2003 to July 2009 were divided into two groups:one group accepted deep lamellar keratoplasty(27 eyes),the other group accepted penetrating keratoplasy(20 eyes).Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity,best corrected visual acuity,corneal topography changes and corneal endothelial cells were observed.RESULTS:In deep lamellar keratoplasty group,postoperatively the patients saw 4 lines more with no correction,7 lines more with best correction and there was no rejection.In penetrating keratoplasty group,postoperatively the patients saw 5 lines more with no correction,8 lines more with best correction and there were five patients had rejection.There were no difference in astigmatism degree after keratoplasty between the two groups.The speed of decline of corneal endothelial cells in deep lamellar keratoplasty group was lower than that of penetrating keratoplasty group.CONCLUSION:For unacute keratoconus,deep lamellar keratoplasty is better than penetrating keratoplasty.