Descemet Membrane Detachment in Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To report a case series of 4 patients with Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) after undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery incisions.

Methods: Case report.

Results: DMD was noted at the secondary incision (n = 2) or at the main incision (n = 2). All the secondary incision and 1 main incision DMD were resolved with intraoperative maneuvers. Delay in recognizing DMD intraoperatively at the principal incision in 1 case led to inadvertent aspiration of a part of it and persistent postoperative corneal edema. This complication was handled with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty 1 month after initial surgery.

Conclusions: DMD can occur after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, although it is a rare complication as it is in traditional phacoemulsification. The surgeon must be prepared to recognize it, manage it intraoperatively, and treat it postoperatively to reduce the risk of permanent damage to the eye.