The Correlations between Donor Endothelial Lenticule Thickness and Visual Prognosis in DSAEK

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the correlations between donor endothelial lenticule thickness and visual prognosis in Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). METHODS: The present study included 22 patients (22 eyes), who underwent DSAEK surgery in our clinic due to endothelial decompensation. BCVA (log MAR) was compared at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively between the thin lenticule group and thick lenticule group (> or =130 micrometer). RESULTS: The BCVA (log MAR) at 1 month postoperatively was 0.46 +/- 0.22 in the thin lenticule group, and 0.71 +/- 0.26 in the thick lenticule group, and significant statistical correlations between donor lenticule thickness and visual acuity were observed (p = 0.025). However, no significant correlations were observed at 3 months (p = 0.129) and 6 months (p = 0.141) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The thin donor lenticule ( or =130 micrometer), however, there is no difference in visual acuity between the 2 groups at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.