Posters

Salt and pepper endothelium recurring after Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK)

Poster Details

First Author: M. Satue SPAIN

Co Author(s):    L. Ham   V. Liarakos   L. Baydoun   M. Bruinsma   T. Hillenaar   G. Melles     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To describe the presence of ´salt and pepper endothelium´, i.e. typical cellular inclusion bodies in a patient with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), that recurred in the donor corneal endothelial cells after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Setting:

Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery / tertiary referral center.

Methods:

A 76-year-old man underwent DMEK for FECD in his left eye. Routine specular microscopy imaging, as well as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and pachymetry measurements were performed before and after surgery.

Results:

Besides large guttae indicating FECD, preoperative specular microscopy images showed variable-sized dark cellular inclusion bodies in the endothelial cells. One month after DMEK, donor endothelial cells appeared normal, however, at three months, the typical inclusion bodies re-appeared, and progressed slowly within a four year follow-up period. Both BCVA and pachymetry were stable throughout the study period.

Conclusions:

'Salt and pepper endothelium' recurred after host tissue was exchanged by a donor Descemet membrane, i.e. a DMEK graft. These changes may indicate that either the donor corneal endothelial cell morphology is modified by adjacent tissue structures, or that it is completely replaced by recipient endothelium within the first months after surgery.

Financial Disclosure:

One or more of the authors receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented