Posters

Comparative evaluation of sutureless DSEAK, employing polyethylene glycol-based ocular tissue adhesive, to standard

Poster Details

First Author: V.Moustou GREECE

Co Author(s):    A. Kanellopoulos   G. Asimellis           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate clinical safety and efficacy of a novel use of an ocular tissue adhesive in the sealing of Descemet's Stripping (Automated) Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) corneal incisions.

Setting:

Laservision.gr Clinical and Research Eye Institute, Athens, Greece

Methods:

35 consecutive DSAEK cases were evaluated retrospectively. In group-A (nA=15 eyes) the tissue adhesive (ReSure Adherent Ocular Bandage, Ocular Therapeutix, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, USA) had been used, while in group-B (nB=20 eyes), nylon sutures were employed for the closure of the corneal incisions. Peri-operative complications were noted and compared. Visual Acuity, refraction and topographic cylinder, Intraocular Pressure (IOP), and endothelial cell counts (ECC) were monitored long-term for up to two years.

Results:

Follow-up time was 10.5±8.5 (8-to-29) months. No case from group-A required any additional air insertion following the tissue adhesive application and no case required additional intraoperative surgical manipulation for further graft centration. In group-B eighteen/20 eyes required intra-operative supplemental air insertion, and four of those, intra-operative repositioning of the graft. The differences in visual acuity and IOP were not statistically significant between the two groups; ECC change of -16% in group-A vs. -21% was noted in group-B (statistically significant difference, p=0.03). Hyperopic shift was noted in both groups; cylinder reduction was noted, too, with the sutureless group-A performing better.

Conclusions:

Tissue adhesive may be a valuable adjunct in clear-cornea DSEAK by stabilizing the potential of air escape from the main incision inadvertently occurring during suture placement. FINANCIAL DISCLOUSRE: One or more of the authors travel has been funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented