title: Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK): first UK prospective study of 1-year visual outcomes, graft survival and endothelial cell count.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in the treatment of patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study involved 16 consecutive patients who had DMEK done and who were evaluated over a year. Measurements included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell count, and central corneal thickness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients had failed grafts. Of the remaining 14 patients with successful grafts, after 12 months, 79% had BCVA of 6/6 or better, and all patients had a BCVA of 6/9 or better. Median endothelial cell count was 1567 cells per mm(2) (range=900-2359) representing a 40% reduction compared with preoperative counts. Median central corneal thickness was 498 µm (range 445-567 µm) compared with a median of 649 µm (range 548-740 µm) preoperatively. All patients attained total visual rehabilitation without further surgical intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our experience, DMEK has the potential to become the primary procedure for treating Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and endothelial disease as it produces rapid total visual rehabilitation with few complications, and an easy follow-up and management regimen. Donor preparation and graft insertion, however, remain important challenges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, Shrewsbury, UK.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, Shrewsbury, UK.
authors.forename: Ewan A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, Shrewsbury, UK.
authors.forename: Hanif
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suleman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology; D057111:Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005642:Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014019:Tissue Donors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Anterior chamber; Clinical Trial; Cornea; Dystrophy; Vision