DSPEK Descemet’s stripping pseudo endothelial keratoplasty

Session Details

Session Title: Cornea Surgical I

Session Date/Time: Monday 15/09/2014 | 08:00-10:30

Paper Time: 08:06

Venue: Boulevard B

First Author: : O.Daphna ISRAEL

Co Author(s): :    A. Marcovich   I. Bahar           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Feasibility test, DSPEK: is an operation similar to DSAEK in which the implant is an artificial fluid barrier (silicon layer) that serve as a pseudo-endothelium at the posterior surface of the cornea.

Setting:

Israel Pharmaseed Laboratory

Methods:

Animal models. 18 rabbits underwent descemet stripping in there left eye, in 13 rabbits we implanted an 8-10.5 mm silicon layer using an air bubble for its attachment, in a similar way to DSAEK operation.5 rabbits were left as a control. Follow up was 1-16 weeks and still ongoing. We used Slit-lamp, pachymetry, histology and OCT for the follow up.

Results:

The average corneal thickness prior to surgery was 374 microns, the average corneal thickness of the control eyes was 1250 microns, out of the 13 treated eyes 5 were primary failure due to implant detachment, 4 rabbits maintained a cleared cornea for a week, followed by corneal edema, 4 rabbit maintained a clear cornea up to 16 weeks. 4 rabbits demonstrated a remarkable recovery of corneal edema following implant exchange, there was no apparent inflammatory reaction during the follow up in the tested eyes.

Conclusions:

The results suggest a possibility of using a fluid barrier as a substitute for endothelium in the treatment of corneal edema. As long as there was attachment of the implant we have observed a positive effect. Larger group samples and longer period of observation is needed.

Financial Interest:

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