Posters

Safety and clinical outcomes of novel micro-incision DMEK

Poster Details

First Author: F.Cabrerizo Nunez DENMARK

Co Author(s):    I. Potapenko   M. Alberti                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate safety and clinical outcomes of DMEK procedure carried out with a novel injector using a 1.1mm incision.

Setting:

Dept. of Ophthalmology, Glostrup Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.

Methods:

Seventeen consecutive patients (mean age 74.8±9.8 years) scheduled to undergo either stand-alone DMEK (n=12) or triple procedure (n=5) were enrolled in the study. Causes of endothelial dysfunction were: Fuchs endothelial dystrophy – 11 patients; pseudophakic bullous keratopathy - 2; re-DMEK - 2; other etiologies - 2). Surgery was performed using a novel DMEK injector through a 1.1mm corneal incision. Clinical outcomes and adverse events were recorded during postoperative follow-up of up to three months. Ex vivo, 12 DMEK grafts were passed through the injector and underwent scanning electron and confocal microscopy to assess morphological and cellular changes.

Results:

Best spectacle corrected visual acuity improved from 0.31 ± 0.21 pre-operatively to 0.65 ± 0.20 three months after surgery (n=7). This corresponded to a reduction in central corneal thickness from a mean of 679±104um to 598±88um one month after surgery. Mean postoperative endothelial cell density was 1404±305 cells/mm2. No remarkable morphological changes were observed in the DM by ex vivo microscopy. In eyes without previous corneal surgery induced astigmatism was 0.02 ± 1.18D (n=12). One of the patients developed post-operative intraocular pressure elevation. No other serious adverse events were encountered during the observation period.

Conclusions:

Micro-incision DMEK is a safe procedure, with visual outcomes, endothelial cell survival and graft function comparable to standard DMEK.

Financial Disclosure:

None