Dmek Graft Preparation Success Rate In Donor Corneas With Post-Phacoemulsification Scars
Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: FP31.09 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/pv1d-aa97
Authors: Marwan Ghabra* 1 , Hakam GHABRA 1
1Harley Street Eye Centre,London,United Kingdom
Purpose
To evaluate the success rate of DMEK graft preparation in donor corneas with post-phacoemulsification scars.
Setting
Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Amnitrans Eyebank Rotterdam
Methods
Retrospective study on DMEK graft preparations in the eye bank between September and December 2024. DMEK grafts were prepared from 142 corneas with peripheral post-phacoemulsification scars by five technicians using an adapted ‘no-touch’ technique to harvest an isolated Descemet roll. Graft quality was assessed with inverted light microscopy. Success rates were compared with corneas from phakic donors.
Results
Successful graft preparation was achieved in 74,6% (n=106) of cases. Dissection failure occurred in 5,6% (n=8) due to graft tearing, 17,6% (n=25) of grafts was rejected due to inadequate quality, and 2,1% (n=3) of grafts was rejected due to other reasons. The success rate in corneas without post-phacoemulsification scars was 90,1%.
Conclusions
Our findings show that donor corneas with post-phacoemulsification scars may be suitable for DMEK transplantation, representing a valuable source of tissue for DMEK.