Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine endothelial cell loss (ECL) associated with preloaded Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) grafts loaded into 3 carriers of different size and shape.
Methods: Thirty-six donor corneas were prepared for DSAEK and loaded into an EndoGlide Ultrathin (control) (2.0 mm × 3.
Purpose: We aimed to compare the rate of 6-month endothelial cell loss (ECL) and 6-month graft survival in eyes that did not require a postoperative rebubble with eyes that did require a postoperative rebubble after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery.
Methods: A consecutive series of DMEK surgeries performed from September 2013 to March 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. Eyes that did not require a rebubble for graft detachment were compared with eyes with 1 rebubble and eyes with 2 or more rebubbles for 6-month ECL and graft survival.
Purpose: To determine whether using younger donor tissue for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery influences clinical outcomes.
Methods: Scroll tightness, unscrolling time, rebubble rate, and preoperative and 3- and 6-month postoperative endothelial cell density (ECD) and endothelial cell loss (ECL) were compared for 661 DMEK grafts prepared from younger (aged younger than 50 yrs, n = 81) and older donors (aged 50 yrs or older, n = 580) with Student t test, χ2 test, or Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: There was no difference in overall unscrolling time (younger donors: 3.
The purpose is to determine if the preoperative central endothelial cell density (ECD) in triple (phacoemulsification plus intraocular lens implantation plus DSAEK) and non-triple Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) procedures have a relationship with the 5-year postoperative ECD or percent Endothelial Cell Loss (ECL).Out of 986 consecutive DSAEK surgeries for Fuchs dystrophy, 241 eyes had 5-year ECD measurements available. Endothelial cell densities were then evaluated against preoperative ECDs to obtain measures of ECL.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To determine whether specific donor characteristics influence postoperative rebubble rate and 6-month endothelial cell loss (ECL) in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).
Methods: A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 857 DMEK surgeries using eye bank-prepared donor tissue was performed between September 2013 and April 2018. DMEK graft characteristics including donor age, preoperative endothelial cell density (ECD), preservation time, death-to-preservation time, and donor diabetes status were analyzed for correlation with rebubble rate and 6-month postoperative ECL.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes from using eye bank-prepared, endothelium-out preloaded Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) tissue with those obtained with endothelium-out surgeon-loaded DMEK tissue using the same surgical technique at 1 site.
Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 400 consecutive cases of DMEK from March 2016 to April 2018. The last 200 cases using surgeon-loaded tissue were compared with the first 200 cases using preloaded tissue.
Purpose: To describe Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) cases complicated by spontaneous intraoperative fibrin formation.
Methods: DMEK surgeries performed at two centers using a standardized technique were reviewed retrospectively for the occurrence of intraoperative fibrin formation. Cases were assessed for recipient medical history, donor age, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), intraoperative unscrolling time, 6-month endothelial cell loss (ECL), and the course of the mate donor cornea.
Purpose: To examine postoperative reports of infection rates for eye bank-prepared and non-eye bank-prepared corneas from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2017, from a single eye bank.
Method: A retrospective review of reported fungal and bacterial infections with corneal transplant surgeries using corneas distributed by our eye bank was conducted. The reported number of infections for corneas that underwent eye bank preparation (pre-cut and pre-stripped corneas) and for those distributed without eye bank preparation was quantified.
Purpose: To quantify endothelial cell loss (ECL) caused by orientation stamps on prestripped and preloaded Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts, and to examine a method for reducing ECL using a smaller stamp.
Methods: Ten prestripped and 10 preloaded DMEK grafts were prepared with S-stamps. Ten additional preloaded DMEK grafts were prepared with both an S-stamp and a smaller F-stamp in different paracentral areas of the graft.
Purpose: To describe the technique, advantages, and early complication rates of using Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) donor tissue that is prestained and preloaded into an injector at the eye bank and delivered in a storage medium to the surgeon for transplantation 1 to 2 days later.
Methods: A total of 111 eyes with endothelial failure underwent DMEK using donors that were prestripped, prestained, S-stamped, and preloaded into a Straiko modified Jones tube and delivered in an Optisol-filled viewing chamber 1 to 2 days later. Scroll tightness, time to unscroll and center the tissue, postoperative rebubble rate, and graft failure rate were recorded.
Purpose: To present a novel apparatus for simulating the anterior and posterior segment pressure dynamics involved in executing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery when using a chamber-shallowing technique.
Methods: An artificial anterior chamber (AAC), 18-mm trephine, latex glove, two 3-mL syringes, and one donor cornea comprising an intact corneoscleral cap from which a DMEK tissue was peeled and punched are required for the model. After making the corneal incisions with the corneoscleral cap mounted on the AAC in the usual fashion, the corneoscleral cap is remounted onto the dried AAC over an 18-mm latex diaphragm.
Irradiated corneal tissues have been used for a variety of ophthalmic procedures including glaucoma drainage device covers and lamellar grafts. The maintenance of corneal clarity is important, as light obstructions resulting from processing or long-term storage of irradiated corneas may negatively affect vision and postoperative cosmesis. It has been reported that corneal tissues can be preserved in human serum albumin (HSA), however, the clarity of corneas after long-term storage in HSA has not been well described.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To evaluate the refractive predictability and efficacy of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for patients with previous laser refractive surgery.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our cohort of endothelial keratoplasty surgical cases. We identified 21 eyes that underwent laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (n = 17) or photorefractive keratectomy (n = 4) and were treated with DMEK for endothelial failure.
Purpose: To examine endothelial cell damage and stain retention of prestained preloaded Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts.
Methods: DMEK grafts were stained with trypan blue or left unstained before loading into a Straiko modified Jones tube. A protocol to stain preloaded grafts inside the modified Jones tube and resulting cell loss was also examined.
Purpose: To report the clinical outcomes of 3 Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts, in which an upside down DMEK graft orientation was discovered after SF6 gas insufflation of the anterior chamber and the orientation was then corrected intraoperatively.
Methods: A total of 371 consecutive DMEK cases using an S-stamp were analyzed and found to include 3 cases in which the DMEK graft was initially elevated with SF6 gas in an upside down orientation, as demonstrated intraoperatively by the S-stamp. In each case, the graft was immediately manipulated into the proper orientation and the rescued case completed using our standard technique.
Purpose: To report the clinical efficacy of astigmatism correction with toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) in patients undergoing the Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) triple procedure and to evaluate the accuracy of the correction.
Methods: Fifteen eyes of 10 patients who received cataract extraction, toric IOL placement, and DMEK surgery for Fuchs corneal dystrophy and cataracts were evaluated. The cylinder power of toric IOLs was determined by an online toric calculator with keratoscopy measurements obtained using Scheimpflug corneal imaging.
Purpose: This study assessed a novel diabetes mellitus (DM) rating scale in relation to its utility in reducing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) tissue preparation failure.
Methods: A 5-point DM rating scale was defined, in which 1 demonstrated relatively good health associated with DM and 5 represented comorbidities associated with DM. A chart review from consecutive donors who had at least 1 tissue prepared for DMEK was performed.
Purpose: To calculate the magnitude and angle of the shift in corneal astigmatism associated with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery to determine the feasibility of concurrent astigmatism correction at the time of DMEK triple procedures.
Design: Retrospective study.
Methods: Forty-seven eyes that previously underwent the DMEK procedure for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and that had more than 1.
Purpose: To assess the relationship between intraoperative unscrolling time of the donor Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) tissue and 6-month postoperative endothelial cell loss (ECL), and to determine whether donor age, scroll tightness, and the presence of an S stamp are related to unscrolling time.
Methods: Ninety-three consecutive uncomplicated DMEK surgeries performed on eyes with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy using our standardized technique (ie, prestripped tissue with or without a premarked S stamp from our eye bank, overstripping the recipient, Straiko glass injector, no-touch tap technique, and bubble of 20% SF6 gas) were evaluated. Intraoperative unscrolling times and 6-month endothelial cell densities were measured and analyzed.
Purpose: To describe a novel technique for rebubbling DMEK grafts at the slit lamp using a cannula coupled to a syringe with intravenous (IV) extension tubing.
Methods: We present a retrospective case series of eyes that underwent rebubbling using a novel technique at the slit lamp. The rebubbling apparatus is assembled using a standard 43-inch IV extension tube, a 5-cc luer lock syringe, and a 27-gauge cannula.
Purpose: To present 6-month clinical outcomes from a series of 165 consecutive Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) procedures before and after the introduction of a novel stromal-sided S-stamp preparation technique that has decreased the incidence of iatrogenic primary graft failure by eliminating upside-down grafts.
Design: Retrospective nonrandomized comparative case series.
Participants: We included 165 consecutive eyes that had undergone DMEK surgery for Fuchs' or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.
Purpose: To compare results of the first 100 eyes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) that were performed with a standardized technique at a single institution.
Design: Single-center, retrospective case series.
Participants: The first 100 eyes of standardized DSAEK and DMEK that underwent surgery for Fuchs corneal dystrophy at our center.
Purpose: To report endothelial cell loss (ECL) caused by a novel S-stamp preparation technique for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).
Methods: Six cadaveric human corneas were prepared for DMEK transplantation using a single standardized technique, including the application of a dry ink gentian violet S-stamp to the stromal side of Descemet membrane. Endothelial cell death was evaluated and quantified using computerized analysis of vital dye staining.