Graft survival of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in corneal endothelial decompensation after glaucoma surgery

Abstract Purpose This study aims to assess the results, rebubbling rate, and graft survival after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) with regard to the number and type of previous glaucoma surgeries. Methods This is a clinical retrospective review of 1845 consecutive DMEK surgeries between 07/2011 and 08/2017 at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne. Sixty-six eyes were included: group 1 (eyes with previous glaucoma drainage devices (GDD); n = 27) and group 2 (eyes with previous trabeculectomy (TE); n = 39). Endothelial cell loss (ECL), central corneal thickness, graft failure, rebubbling rate, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) up to 3 years after DMEK were compared between subgroups of patients with different numbers of and the two most common types of glaucoma surgeries either GDD or TE or both. Results Re-DMEK rate due to secondary graft failure was 55.6% (15/27) in group 1 and 35.9% in group 2. The mean graft survival time in group 1 was 25 ± 11 months and 31.3 ± 8.6 months in group 2 (p = 0.009). ECL in surviving grafts in group 1 was 35% (n = 13) at 6 months, 36% at 12 months (n = 8), and 27% (n = 4) at 2 years postoperatively. In group 2, ECL in surviving grafts was 41% (n = 10) at 6 months, 36% (n = 9) at 12 months, and 38% (n = 8) at 2 years postoperatively. Rebubbling rate in group 1 was 18.5% (5/27) and 35.9% (14/39) in group 2 (p = 0.079). Conclusion Eyes with previous GDD had no higher risk for an increased rebubbling rate but a higher risk for a re-DMEK due to secondary graft failure with a mean transplant survival time of about 2 years. Compared to eyes with preexisting glaucoma drainage device, eyes after trabeculectomy had less secondary graft failures and a longer mean graft survival rate.

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Impact of Introducing 2 Simple Technique Modifications on the Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Learning Curve

European Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.5301/ejo.5000808 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 16-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Francisco Arnalich-Montiel ◽

Ane Pérez-Sarriegui ◽

Alfonso Casado

Keyword(s):

Learning Curve ◽

Graft Failure ◽

Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane ◽

Primary Graft Failure ◽

Air Tamponade ◽

Group 2 ◽

The Impact ◽

Group 1

Purpose To analyze the impact of performing premarking of the Descemet roll and using SF6 20% on a surgeon's Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) learning process. Methods A total of 30 consecutive eyes with endothelial dysfunction undergoing DMEK during the learning curve of a surgeon were retrospectively analyzed. Prior to the study, the surgeon had already performed 10 DMEKs. The first 15 consecutive patients were included in group 1 (no premarking and air tamponade) and the other 15 consecutive patients were included in group 2 (premarking and SF6 tamponade). Main outcome parameters were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD) loss at 6 months, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results Among the 2 groups, BCVA and ECD loss at 6 months were similar. However, there was a statistically significant reduction in primary graft failure (40% vs 0%) and need of rebubbling due to complete or partial graft detachment (40% vs 6%) when comparing group 1 versus group 2. In group 1, half of the patients needing rebubbling had primary graft failure. Conclusions Based on our personal experience, premarking the graft to assess orientation and using a SF6 gas tamponade dramatically reduces the risk of primary graft failure and the need for rebubbling even during the first stages of the learning curve. These findings should encourage surgeons to safely change from Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty to DMEK.

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Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) in Previously Vitrectomized Eyes: Complications and Clinical Outcomes

Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde ◽

10.1055/a-1517-4518 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wissam Aljundi ◽

Alaadin Abdin ◽

Shady Suffo ◽

Berthold Seitz ◽

Loay Daas

Keyword(s):

Corneal Thickness ◽

Corneal Dystrophy ◽

Control Group ◽

Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane ◽

Group 2 ◽

Postoperative Improvement ◽

Group 1

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the results and complications of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in previously vitrectomized eyes. Design Retrospective study of 35 eyes that had undergone DMEK, due to Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), at our department with a follow-up after 6 months postoperatively. We compared the intraoperative procedure, complications, and results of DMEK between 14 previously vitrectomized pseudophakic eyes (group 1) and a control group of 21 pseudophakic non-vitrectomized eyes (group 2). Results The unfolding time (in minutes) was significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (10.5 ± 6.4 vs. 3.2 ± 1.5, p < 0.01). A single re-bubbling was needed in 8 patients in group 1 (57.1%) and in 3 patients in group 2 (14.2%) (p < 0.01). Repeated re-bubbling (≥ 1 time) was performed in only 5 patients of group 1 (35.7%). There was significant postoperative improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, in LogMAR) in both groups (p = 0.04 in group 1 and p < 0.01 in group 2). The central corneal thickness (CCT, in µm) did not differ significantly between the two groups preoperatively (p = 0.4) or postoperatively (p = 0.1). However, the CCT decreased significantly postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01 in both groups). The postoperative endothelial cell density (ECD in cell/mm²) was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.03). Conclusion DMEK in previously vitrectomized eyes presents a surgical challenge, which requires special, and sometimes unpredictable, intraoperative maneuvers, but good functional and morphological results can be achieved. The use of the endothelial Descemet membrane lamellae (EDML) of older donors might be recommended to facilitate the intraoperative unfolding process.

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Outcomes after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty over a period of 7 years at a tertiary referral center: endothelial cell density, central corneal thickness, and visual acuity

Graefe s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology ◽

10.1007/s00417-021-05152-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tarek Bayyoud ◽

Faik Gelisken ◽

Jens Martin Rohrbach ◽

Gunnar Blumenstock ◽

Karl Ulrich Bartz-Schmidt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Cell Density ◽

Central Corneal Thickness ◽

Corneal Thickness ◽

Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Abstract Purpose To better assess clinical trajectories of patients with or without ocular comorbidity after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. Background: To report on the outcomes of eyes with differing starting conditions following surgery. Design: Retrospective study at a University Eye Hospital. Participants: 361 eyes separated into group 1 (n=229; eyes with endothelial disease only) and group 2 (n=132; eyes with additional ocular comorbid conditions, such as herpetic eye disease 18/132 (13.6%), glaucoma 16/132 (12.1%), dry age-related macular degeneration 14/132 (10.6%), epiretinal membranes 10/132 (7.6%), and wet age-related macular degeneration 9/132 (6.8%)). Methods Consecutive eyes that underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty over a follow-up period of up to 7 years at a tertiary referral center were reviewed. Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, postoperative complications, graft survival, central corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density. Results Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity at year 1 improved in both groups significantly (Wilcoxon signed rank test: group 1, p =.002; .63 to .23 logMAR; group 2, p <.001; 1.15 to .87 logMAR) with a group difference in favor of group 1 (p =.009, Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon). A decrease of the endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness was noted at postoperative year 1 for both groups (paired t-tests (group 1, p <.001; group 2, p =.045) and paired t-tests (group 1, p <.001; group 2, p =.003). Complications were less common, and graft longevity was superior in group 1. Conclusion Eyes with different starting conditions might experience a visual improvement and benefit from surgery. Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty is a valid treatment for endothelial disorders in manifold of eyes. Further long-term studies are required.

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Graft Survival and Clinical Outcomes of Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: Long Term Results

10.21203/rs.3.rs-263813/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

NILAY KANDEMIR BESEK ◽

Gülay Yalçınkaya ◽

Ahmet Kırgız ◽

Semih Çakmak ◽

Selim Genç ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Graft Survival ◽

Graft Failure ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Bullous Keratopathy ◽

Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane

Abstract Purpose: The aim is to report long-term graft survival rates, clinical outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).Methods: In this study 150 eyes, that underwent DMEK whether for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) or for bullous keratopathy (BK), surveilled for 7 years at 6 time-points to evaluate graft survival rates and clinical outcomes of post-corneal transplantation.Results: Overall, the estimated survival probability of 95% confidence interval at 7 years of post-DMEK was 0.58 (0.72-0.77) and the survival probabilities of eyes operated for FECD (0.53) were higher than eyes operated for BK (0.42) (Log Rank 26.87, [p=0.197]). Post-transplant eyes with FECD achieved better visual acuity levels than eyes with BK (p=0.006). Primary graft failure occurred in 11.3% eyes. Secondary graft failure rate was 9.3%, and allograft rejection rate was 4.7%.Conclusion: Although DMEK is effective, safe in long-term, visual results and graft survival rates are better in cases with FECD.

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Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in patients with prior glaucoma surgery

European Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1177/1120672120936178 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 112067212093617 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tanguy Boutin ◽

Nir Sorkin ◽

Adi Einan-Lifshitz ◽

Zale Mednick ◽

Michael Mimouni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graft Failure ◽

Case Series ◽

Rejection Rate ◽

Glaucoma Surgery ◽

Glaucoma Drainage Device ◽

Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Descemet Membrane

Objective: To present outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in eyes with prior trabeculectomy or a glaucoma drainage device (GDD). Methods: A retrospective case series, including patients that had previously undergone trabeculectomy and/or GDD implantation, who later underwent DMEK between 2013 and 2016 at Toronto Western Hospital and the Kensington Eye Institute. Outcome measures: best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), endothelial cell (EC) density, intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients were included. All DMEK procedures were uneventful. Mean follow-up time was 14.6 ± 6.1 months. In eyes with no visually limiting comorbidities ( n = 16), BSCVA improved from 1.34 ± 0.65 logMAR (Snellen equivalent ~20/440) preoperatively to 0.51 ± 0.24 logMAR (Snellen equivalent ~20/65) and 0.50 ± 0.33 logMAR (Snellen equivalent ~20/65) at 6 and 12 months, respectively ( p < 0.001 for both). In eyes with visually limiting comorbidities ( n = 11), BSCVA improved from 1.92 ± 0.72 logMAR (Snellen equivalent ~20/1665) preoperatively to 1.43 ± 0.83 logMAR (Snellen equivalent ~20/540) and 1.37 ± 0.99 logMAR (Snellen equivalent ~20/470) at 6 and 12 months, respectively ( p = 0.008 and p = 0.037). Graft detachment rate was 24.1% and rebubble rate was 17.2%. Primary and secondary graft failure rates were 3.7% and 10.3%, respectively. Rejection rate was 17.2%. EC-loss rate at 6 months and 12 months was 36.7% and 50.5%, respectively. Conclusions: DMEK performed in eyes with previous trabeculectomy or a GDD is more challenging than conventional DMEK, but has good outcomes. Higher rates of graft rejection and secondary graft failure in this setting should be further evaluated in long-term studies.

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