PURPOSE: To report outcomes in Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) using donor tissue from eyes that have had previous refractive surgery and to report histopathology of the donor free cap. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected on each patient, and donor information was collected. Histopathologic evaluation was carried out on donor caps to determine the stability of the laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap and smoothness of the microkeratome cut during preparation of the donor. RESULTS: DSAEK was performed on 7 eyes using donors that had undergone photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or LASIK. One patient received PRK donor tissue, had no interface haze, and had improvement in vision. All but one patient who received LASIK donor tissue had improvement in vision, and that patient had severe graft folds noted intraoperatively that persisted. Histopathologic examination of 3 donor caps showed mild to moderate dehiscence of the LASIK flap, but the cut interface was consistent with normal donor tissue preparation histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of DSAEK using PRK donor tissue, which was successful. Our experience with LASIK donor tissue was comparable to nonrefractive donor tissue with the exception of the persistent donor macrofolds in one patient.
PURPOSE: To report outcomes in Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) using donor tissue from eyes that have had previous refractive surgery and to report histopathology of the donor free cap. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected on each patient, and donor information was collected. Histopathologic evaluation was carried out on donor caps to determine the stability of the laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap and smoothness of the microkeratome cut during preparation of the donor. RESULTS: DSAEK was performed on 7 eyes using donors that had undergone photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or LASIK. One patient received PRK donor tissue, had no interface haze, and had improvement in vision. All but one patient who received LASIK donor tissue had improvement in vision, and that patient had severe graft folds noted intraoperatively that persisted. Histopathologic examination of 3 donor caps showed mild to moderate dehiscence of the LASIK flap, but the cut interface was consistent with normal donor tissue preparation histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of DSAEK using PRK donor tissue, which was successful. Our experience with LASIK donor tissue was comparable to nonrefractive donor tissue with the exception of the persistent donor macrofolds in one patient.