Posters

In vivo confocal microscopy assessment of Descemet-stromal interface in Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty

Poster Details

First Author: J.Cabrerizo DENMARK

Co Author(s):    S. Aziz   M. la Cour                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

This study aims to identify and characterize ultra structural changes in the posterior stroma and donor-recipient of clinical potential relevance in the Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) healing process.

Setting:

Eye Clinic, Rigshospitalet - University of Copenhagen

Methods:

We report a single-center retrospective cohort study. A total of 24 eyes of 12 patients who recently underwent unilateral DMEK were included. Patients who had previously undergone other types of eratoplasty were excluded from this study. We performed in-vivo laser confocal microscopy (II Rostock Corneal Module (HRTII), Heidelberg, Germany) secuential images of different corneal regions (center and mid-peryphery) at different postoperative time points (1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks). Selected images were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively and relevant histological findings were characterized.

Results:

Mean age was 70 �Â�± 9 years. After DMEK changes in the posterior stroma were observed in all six cases, at the donor-recipient interface. Stromal hiperreflectivity and endothelial stroma (represented by hiperreflectivity changes in the ednothelium) were found to be significantly higher in DMEK eyes. Quiescent keratocites and strucutured needle-shaped stromal fibers were obsered in all DMEK eyes.

Conclusions:

Our study characterized specific changes in the posterior stroma and donor Descemet membrane present in the early postoperative phases after DMEK. Those changes may play a crucial role in the postoperative mechanism that promote graft attachment.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE