Five-millimeter-incision deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty: one-year results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate visual acuity, topography, and endothelial cell density 1 year after deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) for endothelial dysfunction.


METHODS
This is a prospective, comparative, interventional case series. Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients who had undergone DLEK with a 5-mm incision and had a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. Main outcome measures were best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), astigmatism, topographic regularity and symmetry, and endothelial cell density.


RESULTS
: One year postoperatively, BSCVA was 0.33 +/- 0.12 (mean, 20/60; range, 20/40-20/400) compared with 0.15 +/- 0.15 preoperatively (mean, 20/200; range, 20/70-20/800). Six patients did not reach an acceptable visual acuity and were not included in the mean BSCVA, 2 had a primary failure, and the others had preexisting glaucoma or macular disease. Spherical equivalent was -0.04 +/- 1.2 D, refractive astigmatism was 1.76 +/- 1.69 D, surface regularity index was 0.97 +/- 0.54, and surface asymmetry index was 1.25 +/- 0.78 1 year after surgery. Mean endothelial cell count from the donor was 2904 +/- 559 (range, 4694-2111) and 1 year after surgery was 1595 +/- 662 (range, 702-3040), equating to 45% cell loss (range, 15%-77%).


CONCLUSIONS
DLEK is a newer method to replace the endothelium in patients with Fuchs dystrophy. Results showed minimal astigmatism, good topographic parameters, and acceptable visual acuity. Endothelial cell loss at 1 year was significant.
Yepes
Natasha
N
Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Segev
Fanny
F
Hyams
Michael
M
McAllum
Penny
P
Slomovic
Allan R
AR
Rootman
David S
DS
D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005642:Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity