ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the functionality of human decellularized stromal laminas seeded with cultured human corneal endothelial cells as a tissue engineered endothelial graft (TEEK) construct to perform endothelial keratoplasty in an animal model of corneal endothelial damage. METHODS: Engineered corneal endothelial grafts were constructed by seeding cultured human corneal endothelial cell (hCEC) suspensions onto decellularized human corneal stromal laminas with various coatings. The functionality and survival of these grafts with cultured hCECs was examined in a rabbit model of corneal endothelial damage after central descemetorhexis. Rabbits received laminas with and without hCECs (TEEK and control group, respectively). RESULTS: hCEC seeding over fibronectin-coated laminas provided an optimal and consistent endothelial cell count density and polygonal shape on the decellularized laminas, showing active pump fuction. Surgery was performed uneventfully as standard Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Corneal transparency gradually recovered in the TEEK group, whereas haze and edema persisted for up to 4 weeks in the controls. Histologic examination showed endothelial cells of human origin covering the posterior surface of the graft in the TEEK group. CONCLUSIONS: Grafting of decellularized stroma carriers re-surfaced with human corneal endothelial cells ex vivo can be a readily translatable method to improve visual quality in corneal endothelial diseases.
Subject(s)
Corneal Injuries/therapy , Corneal Stroma/cytology , Corneal Transplantation/methods , Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty/methods , Endothelium, Corneal/cytology , Tissue Engineering/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Animals , Case-Control Studies , Cells, Cultured , Corneal Stroma/transplantation , Disease Models, Animal , Endothelial Cells/cytology , Endothelium, Corneal/transplantation , Female , Graft Survival , Humans , Male , Rabbits , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe the incidence, risk factors, and management of pupillary abnormalities after anterior chamber (AC) full air or gas tamponade in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) without pupillary block. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, clinical records of 25 patients (32 eyes) who underwent DMEK were reviewed for pupillary abnormalities and iris morphology. All patients had nearly full intracameral tamponade with air or 20% SF6 at the end of surgery without default air release postoperatively. RESULTS: Pupillary abnormalities ranging from mild ovalization to mid-mydriasis were seen in 56% of the cases. These abnormalities were not related to morphometric changes in the iris volume, or in the iris dilator or iris sphincter muscle, but were probably due to posterior synechiae. Combining DMEK and cataract surgery increases by 5-fold the odds of developing this complication. Surgical revision of the posterior surface of the iris and synechiolysis reversed these pupillary abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Nonischemic pupillary abnormalities can be seen in patients with DMEK using a nearly full air/gas tamponade in the AC after surgery despite patent iridectomy especially when combined with cataract surgery. Ensuring complete mydriasis in the immediate postoperative period and a free-floating bubble in the AC above the inferior pupillary margin may reduce its incidence.
