Posters

Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty: outcome of the first 100 consecutive eyes

Poster Details

First Author: H. Delbeke BELGIUM

Co Author(s): M. Hua   B. Foets                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To present the first 100 consecutive eyes we performed Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) on.

Setting:

University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium

Methods:

This single centre retrospective study included patients with endothelial decompensation who underwent DMEK surgery between September 2014 and September 2016. All the surgeries were performed by two surgeons (BF and MTH). We measured pre- and postoperatively the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), pachymetry and corneal endothelial cell density (ECD).

Results:

Hundred eyes of 91 patients were included. A rebubbling was needed in 12.6 %. Five eyes (5%) needed a second operation because of graft failure. The mean BCVA (Snellen) was 0.33 ± 0.20, 0.68 ± 0.24, 0.73 ± 0.22 and 0.75 ± 0.20 preoperatively; after 3, 6 and 12 months respectively (p: <0.001). The mean decrease in pachymetry was 116 µm ± 71, 116 µm ± 72 and 95 µm ± 37 (p: <0.001) and the mean reduction in ECD was 1008 ± 516, 1038 ± 446 and 987 ± 428 after 3, 6 and 12 months respectively (p: <0.001).

Conclusions:

DMEK is an efficient and safe technique for endothelial decompensation. The rate of secondary surgery and rebubbling is 5 and 12.6%. These complications are likely to diminish with increasing surgical expertise. Most eyes have a good postoperative VA (mean 0.75 after 12 months). These results are even better when excluding patients with other ocular problems.

Financial Disclosure:

None