J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2010 Nov;51(11):1431-1437. 10.3341/jkos.2010.51.11.1431.

Long-Term Results of Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in Korea

• Lee JS
• Park YG
• Yoon KC

• KMID: 2213952
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2010.51.11.1431

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.
CONCLUSIONS
Long term results of DSAEK showed fast visual recovery, low ametropia and astigmatism. DSAEK may be a good option for the surgical management of corneal endothelial disease.

Keyword

DSAEK; Graft failure; Refractive change

MeSH Terms

Astigmatism
Corneal Transplantation
Endothelial Cells
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Keratoplasty, Penetrating
Korea
Refractive Errors
Retrospective Studies
Transplants
Visual Acuity

Figure

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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).

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  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).

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  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.

Reference

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