Relationship between unfolding time of the DMEK roll and endothelial cell loss

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Surgical Cornea

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 2

First Author: : M.Arino SPAIN

Co Author(s): :    N. Alejandre-Alba   B. García-Sandoval   I. Jimenez-Alfaro   P. Arriola-Villalobos   M. Iradier   N. Gentile        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between intraoperative unfolding time of the donnor Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) roll and the endothelial cell loss (ECL) and visual outcome after MEK surgery.

Setting:

Tertiary referral cornea unit

Methods:

48 consecutive DMEK surgeries were performed on eyes with Fuchs Endothelial Distrophy (FED) and Bullous Keratopathy (BK). Donor age, intraoperative unscrolling time of the donor and postoperative Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) and ECL at months 6, 12 and 18 months were measure and analyzed

Results:

Mean donor age was 67 years old. The median unfolding time was 10 minutes (range 0,40-58 minutes). The median ECL was 40%, 55% and 58% at 6, 12 and 18 months postoperative. There was no relationship between unfolding time, BCVA and ECL at 6, 12 and 18 months postoperative by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Younger donor grafts were tighter but had no correlation with longer unfolding time or worse final BCVA

Conclusions:

Once the DMEK roll is inserted into the eye there is no rush to unscroll the graft and surgeons should take their time and confirm proper positioning before injecting the air/gas bubble.

Financial Disclosure:

None