Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Vs Microthin Descemet Membrane Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty: 5 Year Outcomes Of A Randomised Controlled Trial
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: FP14.10 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/9s45-dd52
Authors: Dr Rathin Pujari* 1 , Prof. Madhavan Rajan 2 , Other Junyan Zhang 2
1Ophthalmology,Cambridge University Hospitals,Cambridge,United Kingdom;Ophthalmology,Moorfields Eye Hospital,London,United Kingdom, 2Ophthalmology,Cambridge University Hospitals,Cambridge,United Kingdom
Purpose
To compare 5-year outcomes of Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) versus Microthin Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (MT-DSAEK) in a randomised controlled trial
Setting
The trial was conducted in a single teritiary referral centre in the United Kingdom.
Methods
56 patients were randomised to either arm. The main outcome was Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) at 60 months. Secondary outcomes included graft rejection episodes, graft survival and long term complications.
Results
The MT-DSAEK patients had similar BCVA compared to those in the DMEK group (0.15±0.27 vs 0.10±0.23, p=0.27) at 5 years. There was a significant difference in the complications (MT-DSAEK vs DMEK 17 vs 8, p=0.03). There were 3 graft rejections in teh MT-DSAEK group that were controlled on topical medications alone with no graft function. There were no rejection episodes in the DMEK group. There was one case of primary graft failure in the DMEK group and one late failure in MT-DSAEK group. A total of 96% of all grafts retained good function at 60 months.
Conclusions
At 5 years, MT-DSAEK and DMEK groups maintain similar vision and graft survival but have a statistically significant difference in complication rates