iGlide device for large diameter ultra-thin preloaded DSAEK

Session Details

Session Title: Moderated Poster Session: Cornea

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 1

First Author: : S.Rehman UK

Co Author(s): :    M. Parekh   A. Ruzza   B. Steger   D. Ponzin   S. Kaye   V. Romano        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcomes of 9.5mm ultra-thin preloaded grafts for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) in vitro and in vivo.

Setting:

Laboratory study in The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, Venice, Italy and clinical cohort study at St. Paul’s Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK

Methods:

7 tissues were prepared for UT DSAEK (9.5mm diameter), loaded into an iGlide, and preserved for 4 days at 31oC in transport medium. Another 44 preloaded tissues were prepared as above, transported and surgically delivered into the eyes of patients undergoing UT-DSAEK. Main outcome measures for the laboratory study were central and peripheral endothelial cell density (ECD), morphology and viability measured before and after loading and storage. For the clinical study, it included Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), ECD before and last follow up months after surgery, dislocation rate, primary graft failure and surgical time.

Results:

In the laboratory study, post-cut central graft thickness was 93.28±17.2 µm. ECD or cell mortality did not change significantly between the different time points (p=0.8). Cell loss from preservation-to-use at 4 days was 1.7% ±1.6%. Mean follow up was 8.8 months (264 ± 164 days, min 68 days, max 686 days). At last follow up BCVA was 0.3 ± 0.1 LogMar. graft thickness was 93 ± 36 microns. Rebubbling rate was 27%.

Conclusions:

Large diameter UT-DSAEK grafts can be prepared in the eye bank, preloaded in an iGlide and transported to the surgical centre to facilitate surgery for patients undergoing DSAEK, potentially reducing tissue wastage, surgical time and costs.

Financial Disclosure:

None