Ultrathin-Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background/aim: The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of Ultrathin - Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) versus Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for the treatment of corneal endothelial failure in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED) or Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK).

Patients And Methods: We performed a meta-analysis and conducted a literature search in PubMed and Cochrane Library, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Effects were calculated as odds ratios or standardized mean differences.

Results: A total of six studies with 300 eyes in total (151 UT-DSAE and 149 DMEK) were included. BSCVA was superior in the DMEK group compared with the UT-DSAEK at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Rebubbling rates and overall adverse events were 2.37 and 1.48 times, respectively, higher in the DMEK group. The central corneal thickness and spherical equivalent were significantly lower in the DMEK group 12 months post-surgery. Endothelial cell density values were similar in both groups up to 12 months postoperatively.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis comparing UT-DSAEK with DMEK. DMEK surgery resulted in significantly better BSCVA at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively compared to UT-DSAEK. UT-DSAEK had a better complication profile with lower rebubbling rates.