Feasibility and Outcome of Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty in Complex Anterior Segment and Vitreous Disease.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is becoming the method of choice for treating Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. We investigated whether DMEK can serve as a routine procedure in endothelial decompensation even in complex preoperative situations.

METHODS:

Of a total of 1184 DMEK surgeries, 24 consecutive eyes with endothelial decompensation and complex preoperative situations were retrospectively analyzed and divided into 5 groups: group 1: irido-corneo-endothelial syndrome (n = 3), group 2: aphakia, subluxated posterior chamber intraocular lens or anterior chamber intraocular lens (n = 6), group 3: DMEK after trabeculectomy (n = 4), group 4: DMEK with simultaneous intravitreal injection (n = 6), and group 5: DMEK after vitrectomy (n = 5). Main outcome parameters were best-corrected visual acuity, central corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, rebubbling rate, and graft failure rate.

RESULTS:

Best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) increased from 0.98 to 0.53 (P = 0.002), 0.53 (P = 0.091), and 0.57 (P = 0.203) after 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Central corneal thickness decreased from 731 ± 170 to 546 ± 152 μm (P = 0.001), 514 ± 66 μm (P = 0.932), and 554 ± 98 μm (P = 0.004) after 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Donor endothelial cell density decreased from 2478 ± 185 to 1454 ± 193/mm² (P < 0.001), 1301 ± 298/mm² (P = 0.241), and 1374 ± 261/mm² (P = 0.213), after 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The rebubbling rate was 46% (11/24). Four patients (17%) had secondary graft failure.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data provide evidence that DMEK is feasible for the treatment of endothelial decompensation in complex preoperative situations.

• Authors: Julia M Weller, Theofilos Tourtas, Friedrich E Kruse
• Journal: Cornea (Cornea) Vol. 34 Issue 11 Pg. 1351-7 (Nov 2015) ISSN: 1536-4798 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26382893 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anterior Eye Segment (pathology)
• Corneal Edema (etiology, physiopathology, surgery)
• Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (methods)
• Eye Diseases (complications)
• Feasibility Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Visual Acuity (physiology)
• Vitreous Body (pathology)