Current approaches to combat the shortage of corneal tissues: Split-DMEK and double-split-keratoplasty

Session Details

Session Title: Cornea
Session Date/Time: Sunday 22/02/2015 | 08:30-11:00
Paper Time: 10:24
Venue: Hall 2
First Author: : E.Yoeruek GERMANY
Co Author(s): :    T. Bayyoud   K. Bartz Schmidt           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of halved larger donor descemet membrane endothelial complexes in descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (split-DMEK).

Setting:

Eberhard Karls University, Department of Ophthalmology

Methods:

Six eyes with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy were scheduled for split–DMEK. Main outcome measures included graft survival of the split-DMEK, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), intra- and postoperative complications.

Results:

Prior to surgery the mean BCVA was 0.53 ± 0.29 logMAR. Split-DMEK procedures yielded a mean BCVA of 0.35 ± 0.41 logMAR at last follow-up (length of follow-up 3.3 months, p = 0.033). The mean endothelial cell density prior to surgery was 2438 ± 362 cells/mm2 and decreased to 1637 ± 330 cells/mm2 at last follow-up (length of follow-up 3.3 months, p<0.001). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were seen.

Conclusions:

The split-DMEC technique may be of use to ameliorate the shortage of donor corneal tissue in DMEK procedures by up to 50%.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE