Descemet membrane stripping endothelial keratoplasty for Descemet membrane detachment following phacoemulsification

Objective To report successful vision restoration after Descemet membrane stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) for 3 cases with extensive Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) after phacoemulsification. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Three patients with extensive DMD after phacoemulsification. Methods Three patients with DMD after phacoemulsification were reviewed. All patients developed DMD affecting more than 70% of the cornea and showed significant corneal edema, which did not resolve with air bubble tamponade. To resolve corneal edema, we performed DSEK. Results Successful postoperative resolution of corneal edema was achieved for all 3 patients. Best corrected visual acuity improved from 2.20 ± 0.72 (logMAR) to 0.24 ± 0.06 (logMAR). No complications were noted during 24.7 ± 3.2 months of follow-up (range 21–27 months). The change in spherical equivalent from pre-DSEK to 1 year postoperatively was +0.87 D (range +0.63 to +1.25 D). Conclusions DSEK may be a viable surgical option for treatment of patients with extensive DMD after phacoemulsification. However, when DSEK is contemplated, intraocular lens exchange for hyperopic shift after DSEK must be considered.