Clinical outcomes of non-Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

Abstract

To describe the results of non-Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (non-DSAEK). Retrospective, interventional, consecutive clinical case series. Twenty-three patients underwent non-DSAEK from January 2010 to February 2011. The various indications were pseudophakic corneal edema, aphakic corneal edema, failed graft, iridocorneal endothelial syndrome and congenital glaucoma. Corneal edema cleared in all patients within 1–4 weeks. Mean follow-up duration was 7.6 months. Post-operative best corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/400 to 20/40. Fourteen patients had co-morbid factors affecting the vision. No patient had interface haze. Immediate post-operative complications were partial graft detachment (1 patient) and secondary angle closure (1 patient). Corneal clarity was restored following secondary interventions. One late post-operative complication was graft rejection at 6 months, leading to graft failure. Non-DSAEK is a safe and viable option in cases of corneal decompensation when the Descemet membrane is non-pathological.