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.
Graft survival and clinical outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: long-term results
