Descemet membrane detachment among siblings: role of anatomic and familial predisposition.

Purpose: To describe 2 siblings with Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) after intraocular surgery and discuss the potential role of anatomic and familial predisposition.

Method: Case reports.

Results: A 64-year-old woman had bilateral DMDs after trabeculectomy in her right eye and during combined cataract extraction and trabeculectomy in her left eye. Both were successfully treated with intracameral sulfur hexafluoride gas injections. Her older sister also developed DMD in her left eye that was noted after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Slit-lamp examination of her unoperated eye revealed irregular Descemet membrane with thickening and a wavy configuration, suggesting an intrinsic corneal abnormality. No endothelial guttae or polymorphous changes were noted. Intracameral sulfur hexafluoride gas injection was attempted to reattach the Descemet membrane but was unsuccessful. The patient then underwent Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty with excellent postoperative results.

Conclusions: Predisposition to DMD among relatives may be linked to hereditary morphological abnormalities present in their corneas.