Preliminary results of a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) with ultrathin Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK)

Purpose : To compare best corrected visual acuity, endothelial cell density, and complications after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) and ultrathin Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK). Methods : Multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial (RCT). 55 eyes of 55 patients suffering from irreversible corneal endothelial dysfunction due to Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy were randozmized to receive DMEK or UT-DSAEK in six tertiary and secondary eye clinics in the Netherlands. Donor grafts were centrally prepared by the Beverwijk Euro Cornea bank. Patients underwent ophthalmic examinations preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Results : Preoperative BCVA did not differ between both groups (DMEK:0.38±0.18 logMAR vs. UT-DSAEK:0.33±0.21 logMAR, P=0.32). Three months after the operation, BCVA improved significantly (P