Posters

Autologous Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty to eliminate endothelial rejection in eyes at high risk

Poster Details

First Author: L.Furiosi ITALY

Co Author(s):    J. Myerscough   C. Bovone   M. Busin              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine whether autologous Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty is technically feasible, and if it eliminates the risk of endothelial rejection.

Setting:

Tertiary level corneal referral centre, Forli, Italy. One 25 year old Caucasian female with failed penetrating keratoplasty following endothelial rejection in the context of chronic panuveitis and a blind fellow eye due to retinal detachment.

Methods:

Autologous Descemet’s stripping automated keratoplasty: An endothelial graft was harvested from the fellow eye by performing a hinged, microkeratome-assisted superficial stromal flap, with removal of the central posterior stromal bed. The posterior lamellar graft created was then transplanted into the other eye following using a standardized DSAEK technique. Main Outcome Measures: Endothelial rejection, best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), endothelial cell density

Results:

No endothelial rejection seen during the 2-year follow up duration. Stable improvement in BSCVA from 0.2 to 0.4 (decimal Snellen). Endothelial cell density of 1465 (cells/mm2) recorded at final follow up.

Conclusions:

The use of this repeatable technique to harvest and transplant an autologous DSAEK graft eliminates endothelial rejection in high risk eyes

Financial Disclosure:

None