Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the long-term results of Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in Korea (DSAEK).
Methods
Seven patients with bullous keratopathy who underwent DSAEK and who were followed-up for more than 18 months were reviewed retrospectively. Best corrected visual acuity, refraction, corneal thickness, and endothelial cell count were examined before and after surgery.
Results
The mean follow-up period was 19.9 ± 2.9 months (18 to 24 months), and the mean age was 61.42 ± 10.13 years (46 to 76 years). Six patients (85.7%) showed successful results after surgery. Best corrected visual acuity (logMAR) was significantly improved from 1.62 (median) to 1.15 (median) (p = 0.027) at one month after surgery and was maintained until the final follow-up period. There were no statistical differences in spherical ametropia or astigmatism before or 18 months after the operation. Graft failure was observed in one case, in which penetrating keratoplasty was performed 12 months after DSAEK.
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References
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![]() | Figure 1.Boxplot showing changes of best corrected visual acuity in the patients who underwent Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (* Wilcoxon signed rank test, p<0.05 between preoperative and postoperative results). |
![]() | Figure 2.Graphs showing changes in mean best corrected visual acuity over time in the patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (* Paired t-test, p<0.05 between pre-operative and postoperative results). |
![]() | Figure 3.(A) Preoperative slit lamp photograph showing edema and diffuse haziness in the cornea. (B) At 18 months after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty, the corneal graft remains clear. (C) Pentacam demonstrates interface smoothness and regular thickness of the cornea. (D) Specular microscope reveals viable endothelial cells. |
Table 1.
Demographics of patients who underwent Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty
Case | Age (yrs) | Sex | Preoperative diagnosis | Preoperative CCT* (μ m) | Preoperative BCVA† (logMAR) | Endothelial cell count (cells/mm2) | Combined procedure |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 46 | M‡ | Bullous keratopathy | 924 | 1.4 | Error | |
2 | 55 | M | Bullous keratopathy | 1,014 | 1.4 | Error | |
3 | 56 | M | Bullous keratopathy, aphakia | 941 | 1.4 | 371 | Scleral fixation of IOLΠ |
4 | 61 | M | Bullous keratopathy, aphakia | 749 | 2.3 | Error | Scleral fixation of IOL |
5 | 70 | F§ | Bullous keratopathy, cataract | 723 | 1.7 | Error | Phaco# with IOL implantation |
6 | 76 | M | Bullous keratopathy, pseudophakia | 1,006 | 1.7 | 281 | |
7 | 66 | M | Bullous keratopathy, pseudophakia | 864 | 1.7 | 498 | |
Table 2.
Refractive ametropia, astigmatism, central corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density before and after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty
| Before operation median (range) | Postoperative 12 months median (range) | Postoperative 18 months median (range) |
---|---|---|---|
Sphere (D) | −0.13 (1.5∼2.75) | +0.5 (0.25∼0.75) | +0.75 (0.25∼1.25) |
Cylinder (D) | 0.0 (2.5∼1.5) | +1.25 (−1.25∼2.0) | +0.75 (1.25∼2.0) |
Spherical equivalent (D) | −0.5 (1.5∼3.5) | +1.0 (0.0∼1.5) | +1.0 (0.25∼2.25) |
Central corneal thickness (μ m) | 932.5 (723∼1014) | 601* (600∼716) | 651* (611∼701) |
Endothelial cell density (cells/mm2) | Not applicable | 1359 (1258∼1587) | 1125 (998∼1262) |
Table 3.
Overall visual and surgical results at 18 months and at last follow-up after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty
Case | Age (yrs) | Sex | Follow-up duration (mon) | Postoperative BCVA* (logMAR) at 18 mon after DSAEK# | Postoperative BCVA* (logMAR) at last follow-up | Postoperative CCT† (μ m) at 18 mon after DSAEK | Endothelial cell count (cells/mm2) at 18 mon after DSAEK | Complication and management |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 46 | M‡ | 18 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 611 | 1,154 | |
2 | 55 | M | 18 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 646 | 1,262 | |
3 | 56 | M | 24 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 628 | 998 | Graft detachment → Air injection |
4 | 61 | M | 24 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 700 | 1,256 | |
5 | 70 | F§ | 18 | | | | | Graft failure → PKPΠ |
6 | 76 | M | 18 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 698 | 1,096 | |
7 | 66 | M | 20 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 656 | 1,011 | |
Table 4.
Refractive ametropia, astigmatism, central corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty
|
Postoperative 12 mon |
Postoperative 18 mon |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
DSAEK* | PKP† | DSAEK | PKP | |
| median (range) | mean ± SD | median (range) | mean ± SD‡ |
Sphere (D) | +0.5 (0.25∼0.75) | −3.78 ± 1.64 | +0.75 (0.25∼1.25) | −3.98 ± 1.86 |
Cylinder (D) | +1.25 (−1.25∼2.0) | −4.26 ± 2.33 | +0.75 (−1.25∼2.0) | −4.52 ± 1.82 |
Central corneal thickness (μ m) | 601 (600∼716) | 598.33 ± 46.81 | 651 (611∼701) | 609.18 ± 27.86 |
Endothelial cell density (cells/mm2) | 1,359 (1258∼1587) | 1,386.28 ± 192.92 | 1,125 (998∼1262) | 1,298.00 ± 251.76 |