title: Complex Descemet's Membrane Tears and Detachment during Phacoemulsification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of complex Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) and tears during phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 64-year-old woman underwent phacoemulsification surgery in her right eye and developed tears and partial loss of Descemet's membrane (DM) while the aspiration port was inserted through the main incision. Massive corneal edema obscured the view and the anterior chamber was barely visible the following day. Scheimpflug imaging was used to complement slit lamp examination in the postoperative period. Frequent topical corticosteroid drops were initiated. After 5 days of treatment, multiple tears and detachment of DM were visible and the anterior chamber was filled with air. After 5 weeks, the cornea regained much of its clarity despite large DM tears and focal loss of DM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite partial loss of DM, the corneal edema mostly disappeared after 5 weeks of air bubble injection. Scheimpflug imaging was beneficial in the diagnosis and monitoring of DM tears and detachments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Birinci Eye Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Faik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orucoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Birinci Eye Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aksu
keywords: Descemet Membrane; Phacoemulsification; Scheimpflug Imaging