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Five-year outcomes of corneal densitometry after uneventful Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK)

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First Author: N.Kappos GREECE

Co Author(s):    A. Lazaridis   E. Giallouros   F. Schroeder   W. Sekundo   I. Giachos   K. Droutsas     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To analyze the course of corneal densitometry (CD), endothelial cell density (ECD), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central corneal thickness (CCT) 5 years following uneventful Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Setting:

(1) Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University of Marburg, Germany (2) First Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

Methods:

From a larger pool of DMEK procedures, 60 uneventful cases (51 patients) with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were included. CD of various corneal layers (anterior, central, posterior and total layer) and zones (0-2 mm, 2-6 mm and 6-10 mm) was measured with Scheimpflug tomography. ECD, BCVA and CCT were also evaluated.

Results:

Total CD at 0-2 mm, 2-6 mm and 6-10 mm zones significantly decreased from 33 ± 10, 27.8 ± 8, and 30 ± 8.3 grayscale units (GSU) preoperatively to 21.8 ± 3.1, 22.2 ± 4.2, and 34.6 ± 7.8 GSU at 5 years respectively (p <0.001). ECD significantly decreased from 2496 ± 267 cells/mm2 preoperatively to 1063 ± 470 cells/mm2 at 5 years (p <0.001). Similarly, CCT significantly reduced from 686 ± 109 μm preoperatively to 557 ± 37 μm at 5 years (p <0.001). Postoperative BCVA was significantly better after DMEK for every examination time point.

Conclusions:

Despite a slight CD increase at all layers of all corneal zones from the second to the 5th postoperative year, the excellent visual outcome was maintained throughout 5 years follow-up. Thus, DMEK seems to treat effectively corneal endothelial disease in the long term.

Financial Disclosure: