Five-Year Outcomes of Ultrathin Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To report 5-year outcomes of ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) with a central graft thickness intended to be <100 µm. METHODS: This retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series included 354 eyes with endothelial decompensation due to various causes (Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy, failed previous graft, herpetic endothelitis, or buphthalmos). Donor tissue was prepared using the microkeratome-assisted double-pass technique aiming at a graft thickness <100 µm. The Descemet membrane was stripped under air. The graft was delivered into the anterior chamber using the pull-through technique through a 3.2-mm clear corneal incision using a modified Busin glide. The best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), endothelial cell loss, graft survival rates, and immunologic rejection rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Follow-up data at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after UT-DSAEK were collected from 214, 172, 147, and 105 eyes, respectively. After excluding eyes with comorbidities, BSCVA better than or equal to 20/20 was recorded in 36.3%, 37.4%, 46.4%, and 53.4% of eyes, respectively, whereas BSCVA better than or equal to 20/40 was documented in 95.5%, 95.3%, 96.0%, and 96.6% of eyes, respectively. The mean endothelial cell loss was 35.4%, 42.3%, 43.3%, and 52.3%; Kaplan-Meier graft survival probability was 99.1%, 96.2%, 94.2%, and 94.2%, and Kaplan-Meier cumulative probability of a rejection episode was 3.4%, 4.3%, 5%, and 6.9% at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: UT-DSAEK grafts allow excellent 5-year outcomes, including BSCVA, endothelial cell density, and survival rates comparable with those recorded post-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, but with a higher immunologic rejection rate.

Single-piece femtosecond-assisted mushroom keratoplasty in children.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of femtosecond-assisted single-piece mushroom keratoplasty for the treatment of full-thickness corneal disease in pediatric patients with healthy endothelium. METHODS: Femtosecond-assisted mushroom keratoplasty was performed in 8 eyes of 8 patients (age range, 8-17 years) with central full-thickness corneal opacity. The single-piece mushroom-shaped graft consisted of a large anterior portion (9 mm in diameter; 250 µm in thickness) and a small posterior portion (6-6.5 mm). Donor and recipient corneas were prepared using the WaveLight FS200 laser (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX). The donor cornea was oversized by 0.2 mm. Outcome measures were best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, spectacle refraction, topographic astigmatism, endothelial cell density, graft rejection, and graft failure at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months was 0.28, 0.16, 0.13, and 0.10 logMAR; all patients achieved logMAR of at least 0.4 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The mean refractive cylinder was 2.6 D, and mean endothelial cell loss was 13.3% at 12 months postoperatively. Two eyes had immunologic rejection episodes that were reversed with topical steroids. All corneas remained clear at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Femtosecond-assisted mushroom keratoplasty is a viable surgical option for eyes of older pediatric patients with full-thickness corneal stromal disease and healthy endothelium. Mushroom keratoplasty combines the refractive advantage of a large keratoplasty with the immunologic advantage of a small keratoplasty. Single-piece femtosecond-assisted mushroom keratoplasty may have a mechanical advantage over regular penetrating keratoplasty.

Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in phakic eyes: incision modification reducing cataract formation.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a technical modification to reduce the incidence of traumatic cataract induced by Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) performed in phakic eyes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study. The records of all patients with a clear crystalline lens and endothelial failure that underwent modified DSAEK at our insitution were reviewed. In this modification, in order to avoid inadvertent touch of the insertion forceps against the exposed crystalline lens while passing across the anterior chamber, the incision sites were shifted from the standard 9 and 3 o'clock positions, superiorly to the 10 and 2 o'clock position respectively. Formation of typically traumatic, anterior subcapsular cataract in these patients was compared to that observed in a cohort including all the patients with a clear crystalline lens and endothelial failure that underwent conventional DSAEK at our institution. RESULTS: The study group included 49 eyes following modified DSAEK and the control group included 35 eyes following DSAEK with conventional incision sites. Anterior subcapsular cataract occurring 4mo or less postoperatively was identified in 2 of 49 (4%) eyes in the study group and 7 of 35 (20%) eyes in the control group. The rates of traumatic cataract were significantly higher in the control group in comparison to the study group (P=0.03, RR=4.9, 95%CI 1.08-22.1). CONCLUSION: Traumatic cataract formation following phakic DSAEK may be avoided with a simple modification to the position of the incision sites.

Visual Outcomes of Repeat Versus Primary Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty-A Paired Comparison.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of repeat Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with those of primary DSAEK. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of all consecutive eyes that underwent one or more repeat DSAEK surgeries after primary DSAEK performed at Villa Serena-Villa Igea Private Hospitals (Forlì, Italy) between January 2005 and June 2015. A paired comparison between the outcomes of primary and the second DSAEK was performed. Main outcome measures included best recorded best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), postoperative endothelial cell loss (ECL), and refractive error. RESULTS: Of 1413 procedures, 51 eyes were included in the final analysis. Indications for primary DSAEK included pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (n = 21), Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (n = 20), failed penetrating keratoplasty (n = 9), and trauma (n = 1). Indications for repeat DSAEK were slowly progressive ECL (n = 35), endothelial rejection (n = 15), and host-graft interface abnormalities (n = 1). Preoperative BSCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 1.23 ± 0.8 vs. 1.38 ± 0.6, P = 0.29) and best postoperative BSCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.32 ± 0.44 vs. 0.34 ± 0.49, P = 0.70) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. ECLs for primary and repeat DSAEK at 1 (46% ± 16% vs. 40% ± 18%, P = 0.22) and 2 years (50% ± 18% vs. 44% ± 2%, P = 0.33) were also similar. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (-0.01 ± 1.9 vs. -0.5 ± 1.6, P = 0.08) nor did the absolute astigmatic error (1.6 ± 1 vs. 1.8 ± 1.2, respectively, P = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: After the failure of a primary DSAEK graft, a subsequent DSAEK can yield visual outcomes and ECL rates that are comparable with those of primary DSAEK.

A Two-Piece Microkeratome-Assisted Mushroom Keratoplasty Improves the Outcomes and Survival of Grafts Performed in Eyes with Diseased Stroma and Healthy Endothelium (An American Ophthalmological Society Thesis).

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that a new microkeratome-assisted penetrating keratoplasty (PK) technique employing transplantation of a two-piece mushroom-shaped graft may result in better visual outcomes and graft survival rates than those of conventional PK. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 96 eyes at low risk and 76 eyes at high risk for immunologic rejection (all with full-thickness central corneal opacity and otherwise healthy endothelium) undergoing mushroom PK between 2004 and 2012 at our Institution. Outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, corneal topography, endothelial cell density, graft rejection, and survival probability. RESULTS: Five years postoperatively, BCVA of 20/40 and 20/20 was recorded in 100% and over 50% of eyes, respectively. Mean spherical equivalent of refractive error did not vary significantly over a 5-year period; astigmatism averaged always below 4 diopters, with no statistically significant change over time, and was of the regular type in over 90% of eyes. Endothelial cell density decreased to about 40% of the eye bank count 2 years after mushroom PK and did not change significantly thereafter. Five years postoperatively, probabilities of graft immunologic rejection and graft survival were below 5% and above 95%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in endothelial cell loss, graft rejection, and survival probability between low-risk and high-risk subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Refractive and visual outcomes of mushroom PK compare favorably with those of conventional full-thickness keratoplasty. In eyes at high risk for immunologic rejection, mushroom PK provides a considerably higher probability of graft survival than conventional PK.

Interface infection after descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty: outcomes of therapeutic keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual outcomes and graft survival rate after therapeutic keratoplasty performed for interface infection after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). METHODS: This is a retrospective, interventional case series. The study population comprised 7 patients who developed unilateral post-DSAEK interface infection unresponsive to conservative treatment, with or without graft exchange, and were treated with penetrating keratoplasty (PK), 9 to 9.5 mm in diameter, with en bloc excision of the recipient cornea and DSAEK graft. The main outcome measures included best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, histological examination, reinfection, and rejection and graft survival rates. RESULTS: Interface infection was diagnosed in 10 (0.92%) of 1088 eyes that underwent DSAEK at our institution between 2005 and 2013. Seven of 10 eyes (0.64% of the total) were unresponsive to conservative treatment and underwent therapeutic keratoplasty. Candida and Staphylococcus species were identified in 3 cases each, and Nocardia species was identified in 1 case. With a mean post-PK follow-up of 25.4 months (range 4-60 months), no recurrence of infection was seen in any eye, and 5 of 7 PK grafts remained clear. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in 2 eyes, better than 20/50 in 4 eyes, and 20/100 or worse in 3 eyes, in 2 of which the graft had failed within 1 year of performing the PK. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic keratoplasty is instrumental in eliminating interface infection after DSAEK, possibly leading to excellent visual outcomes with a relatively high graft survival rate.

Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty for endothelial decompensation in buphthalmos.

PURPOSE: To report the results of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) to treat endothelial failure in eyes with buphthalmos. DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: All buphthalmic eyes with endothelial failure undergoing DSAEK by the same surgeon (M.B.) between March 2007 and January 2012 were included. Outcome measures included best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refraction, and endothelial cell loss (assessed 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months postoperatively). Standardized DSAEK was performed in all cases, with minor modifications in phakic and aphakic eyes. Other outcomes included comparisons to penetrating keratoplasty (PK) published results and comparisons to visual outcomes in DSAEK for other indications. RESULTS: There were 14 transplants performed in 12 eyes (11 patients). Mean age was 34.9 years (range 15-54 years). The average follow-up was 21.7 ± 13.8 months (range 6-48 months). At last follow-up examination, BSCVA had improved in 11 of 13 cases, with a logMAR average value ± standard deviation of 0.74 ± 0.66 from the preoperative value of 2.07 ± 0.80. Eleven eyes reached Snellen acuity of 20/200 or better, and 5 eyes reached 20/40 or better. Mean endothelial cell loss was 40.5% ± 8.9% (range 23.7%-53.1%). Complications included graft detachment (n = 2), glaucoma progression (n = 1), and late endothelial failure (n = 1). All complications were managed successfully either by repeat DSAEK (n = 2), rebubbling (n = 1), or cyclocryocoagulation (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: DSAEK may be performed safely and effectively in buphthalmic eyes, with comparable results to outcomes after PK. Visual outcomes are not substantially different after DSAEK for this indication compared to DSAEK for other indications.

Ultrathin descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty with the microkeratome double-pass technique: two-year outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes and graft survival rates after ultrathin (UT) Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) using the microkeratome-assisted double-pass technique. DESIGN: Prospective, consecutive, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with endothelial decompensation of various causes (Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy, failed previous graft, herpetic endotheliitis, or buphthalmus; n = 285 grafts). INTERVENTION: Donor preparation was performed using the microkeratome-assisted double-pass technique. Stripping of the Descemet's membrane was performed under air and the graft was delivered into the anterior chamber using the pull-through technique through a 3-mm clear-cornea incision using a modified Busin glide. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction, endothelial cell density, and graft thickness (GT). RESULTS: Excluding all eyes with pre-existing ocular comorbidities, mean BSCVA at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 0.16, 0.11, 0.08, and 0.04 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units, respectively. The percentage of patients achieving BSCVA of 20/20 or better at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 12.3%, 26.3%, 39.5%, and 48.8%, respectively. A statistically significant (P < 0.0001) hyperopic shift of 0.78 ± 0.59 diopters (D; range, -0.75 to 1.75 D) was found at 1 year. The endothelial cell loss at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 29.8 ± 14.3%, 33 ± 15.5%, 35.6 ± 14.1%, and 36.6 ± 16.0%, respectively. The mean central GT recorded 3 months after surgery was 78.28 ± 28.89 µm. Complications included microkeratome failure to achieve perfect dissection in 21 donor tissues (7.2%), with 6 (2.1%) being discarded; total graft detachment in 11 cases (3.9%); primary failure in 4 cases (1.4%); and secondary failure in 4 additional cases (1.4%). Kaplan-Meier cumulative probability of a rejection episode at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 0%, 0.4%, 2.4%, and 3.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The visual outcomes of UT DSAEK are comparable with those published for Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty and better than those reported after DSAEK in terms of both speed of visual recovery and percentage of patients with 20/20 final visual acuity. However, unlike with Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty, preparation and delivery of donor tissue are neither difficult nor time consuming. Complications of UT DSAEK do not differ substantially from those recorded with standard DSAEK but are much less frequent than those reported after Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in pediatric age group.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of DSAEK surgery performed in pediatric patients. DESIGN: Noncomparative interventional case series. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All pediatric patients (age up to 16 years) undergoing Descemet automated stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) at our Institution since January 2008 have been enrolled in a prospective study. A standard DSAEK, involving delivery of an 8.5-9.5 mm graft by Busin glide, was performed under general anesthesia in 19 eyes of 11 pediatric patients (congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy n = 13; congenital glaucoma n = 2; posterior polymorphous dystrophy n = 2, and failed penetrating keratoplasty n = 2). Slit-lamp examination, refraction and visual acuity as well as endothelial cell density were evaluated preoperatively as well as 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. RESULTS: All surgical procedures were uneventful. Graft detachment occurred in 4 cases and was managed successfully with repeat air injection. All corneas cleared within a week from surgery. Follow-up was 3-18 months. At last follow-up examination, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was better than 20/40 in 8 of the 13 cases of patients old enough to assess vision. A graft rejection episode was seen in 1 case within 3 months from surgery but was reverted with steroidal treatment. No graft failures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: DSAEK is an appropriate surgical intervention for children with corneal endothelial failure. In contrast to penetrating keratoplasty (PK), DSAEK is performed under "closed system" conditions, thus minimizing intraoperative risks. Finally, healing is much faster than with PK and all sutures can be removed within 2-4 weeks from surgery, thus allowing fast visual recovery and prompt starting of amblyopia treatment.