Eye bank-prepared grafts can be used for DSEK

Using eye bank-prepared preloaded grafts for Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty can reduce surgical time and intraoperative tissue manipulation with minimal complications, according to a study.

Researchers included 35 eyes of 34 consecutive patients who underwent DSEK for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or previously failed full-thickness grafts in a retrospective case series. Surgeons performed DSEK within 24 hours after the eye bank prepared the tissue and loaded it into inserters.

There was one primary graft failure, two rebubblings and one graft rejection. Mean endothelial cell loss was 25.3% ± 17.2% at 6 months and remained stable at 1 year. Mean best corrected visual acuity was 20/100 preoperatively and improved to 20/25 at 1 year.

“This study underscores the importance of fruitful collaboration between corneal surgeons and eye banks for better patient care. Developing eye bank-prepared preloaded tissue grafts for [Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty] is the logical next step, and this can potentially make DMEK easier to perform and more widely accepted within the cornea community,” the study authors wrote. – by Robert Linnehan

Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Palioura S, et al. Cornea. 2016;doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000001039.