Posters

Clinical outcomes in ultra-thin Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty with internationally shipped pre-cut corneal grafts

Poster Details

First Author: P.Guerra PORTUGAL

Co Author(s):    T. Ferreira   B. Feijoo   P. Campos   L. Zabala   F. Ribeiro        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The use of precut, stored and shipped corneal tissue from International Eye Banks is an increasingly common practice. The purpose is to report the clinical outcomes of ultrathin Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) with precut and preloaded lenticules, obtained from overseas eye banks.

Setting:

Luz Hospital, Lisboa, Portugal

Methods:

The clinical results of the first 25 eyes who underwent UT-DSAEK in the last 2 years (minimum follow-up of 12 months), with internationally shipped precut donor corneas from Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto, Venice, Italy, were evaluated. In all cases de lenticule was precut (thickness≤100um), preloaded in the Smart Storage Glide (3,2mm), and preserved in organ culture medium. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative refraction, endothelial cell loss (ECL) and intra and postoperative complications, were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months. Pre-operative data (thickness, endothelial cell density) from corneal grafts was analyzed and compared with the postoperative period.

Results:

Patients mean age was 68±12 years and Pseudophakic Bullous Keratopathy was the most frequent indication for lamellar corneal transplant. Simultaneous cataract surgery was performed in 8 eyes. BCVA improved from 0.12±0.13 to 0.65±0.19, after UT-DSAEK (p<0.001) and the postoperative spherical equivalent was -0,9D. Mean ECL was 46% at 12 months and the mean pre-operative graft thickness was 91±12um, compared with 103±14um 3 months postoperative. Rebubbling with 100% air was necessary in 16% of cases (n=4), all in the first week postoperative.

Conclusions:

UT-DSAEK with internationally shipped precut donor cornea produced satisfactory clinical results, with a low rate of complications. Imported precut and preloaded donor corneas from International eye banks are a valuable source of donor corneas for UT-DSAEK.

Financial Disclosure:

None