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Scarring, edema cause corneal irregularities that require contact lenses after DMEK
Preoperative corneal scarring and corneal edema hindered visual recovery after Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty; however, contact lenses improved spectacle corrected visual acuity in eyes with poor outcomes and visual disturbances, according to a study.
The retrospective study included 262 eyes that underwent Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Investigators performed slit lamp biomicroscopy and corneal surface topography in all eyes 6 months postoperatively.
Twenty-three eyes (9%) required contact lens fitting 6 months after surgery because of subnormal spectacle corrected distance visual acuity or visual complaints. A control group of 23 eyes had postoperative spectacle corrected distance visual acuity of 20/25 or better and did not require contact lenses.
Mean postoperative spectacle corrected distance visual acuity was significantly higher in the control group than in the study group (P = .000).
Postoperative spectacle corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly with contact lens correction in the study group (P < .001).
Subnormal spectacle corrected distance visual acuity and visual complaints were attributed to corneal scarring, corneal surface irregularities without scarring and inexplicable corneal imperfections.
Disclosure: Gerrit R.J. Melles, MD, PhD, is a consultant to DORC International BV/Dutch Ophthalmic USA. No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.