AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in the treatment of patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. METHODS: This prospective study involved 16 consecutive patients who had DMEK done and who were evaluated over a year. Measurements included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell count, and central corneal thickness. RESULTS: Two patients had failed grafts. Of the remaining 14 patients with successful grafts, after 12 months, 79% had BCVA of 6/6 or better, and all patients had a BCVA of 6/9 or better. Median endothelial cell count was 1567 cells per mm(2) (range=900-2359) representing a 40% reduction compared with preoperative counts. Median central corneal thickness was 498 µm (range 445-567 µm) compared with a median of 649 µm (range 548-740 µm) preoperatively. All patients attained total visual rehabilitation without further surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, DMEK has the potential to become the primary procedure for treating Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and endothelial disease as it produces rapid total visual rehabilitation with few complications, and an easy follow-up and management regimen. Donor preparation and graft insertion, however, remain important challenges. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in the treatment of patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. METHODS: This prospective study involved 16 consecutive patients who had DMEK done and who were evaluated over a year. Measurements included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell count, and central corneal thickness. RESULTS: Two patients had failed grafts. Of the remaining 14 patients with successful grafts, after 12 months, 79% had BCVA of 6/6 or better, and all patients had a BCVA of 6/9 or better. Median endothelial cell count was 1567 cells per mm(2) (range=900-2359) representing a 40% reduction compared with preoperative counts. Median central corneal thickness was 498 µm (range 445-567 µm) compared with a median of 649 µm (range 548-740 µm) preoperatively. All patients attained total visual rehabilitation without further surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, DMEK has the potential to become the primary procedure for treating Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and endothelial disease as it produces rapid total visual rehabilitation with few complications, and an easy follow-up and management regimen. Donor preparation and graft insertion, however, remain important challenges. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.