Secondary Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty without Removing the Previously Grafted Posterior Stroma

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#To report well-attached cornea after secondary Descemet’s membrane stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) without removing the previous graft.Case summary: A 72-year-old man was referred for decreased visual acuity due to bullous keratopathy in the right eye. He had a history of cataract surgery and trabeculectomy in both eyes and primary DSAEK in the right eye 2 years ago. A new DSAEK graft was superimposed onto the previous grafted posterior stroma due to difficulties with primary graft removal. The patient was laid in supine position for 6 hours to facilitate graft attachment. Grafted cornea remained clear and well-attached for 3 months postoperatively. @*Conclusions@#When previous grafts were difficult to remove completely, new graft could be superimposed onto the previously grafted posterior stroma.