Aflibercept for DME, in certain circumstances, is more likely to have superior visual acuity and anatomical outcomes compared with bevacizumab or ranibizumab. No vision benefits are apparent, especially for phakic eyes, by adding intravitreous corticosteroids for persistent DME following anti-VEGF injections.
Purpose:
To describe a surgical technique of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) using an endothelium-in pull-through technique with novel infusion forceps and report 6-month clinical outcomes.
Methods:
This is a retrospective case series of 33 cases with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy who underwent either DMEK alone (n = 5), DMEK combined with phacoemulsification (n = 27), or DMEK combined with intraocular lens exchange (n = 1) performed by surgeons at the beginning of the DMEK learning curve. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), manifest refraction, central corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and need for additional surgeries including rebubbling were evaluated through 6 months postoperatively.
Results:
Preoperative BCVA was 0.37 ± 0.34 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution and improved to 0.09 ± 0.10 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution at 6 months (P < 0.001). Eighty-two percent of eyes obtained a BCVA of 20/25 or better. Central corneal thickness decreased significantly at 6 months (P < 0.001). Endothelial cell loss was 29.1% at 6 months (available for 20 of 33 eyes). All surgeries were uneventful. Six eyes required rebubbling for graft detachments. There were no primary or secondary graft failures at 6 months.
Conclusions:
DMEK with infusion microforceps is efficacious and safe in eyes with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and could offer a more controlled surgery, making it suitable for both novice and experienced DMEK surgeons.
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