Factors associated with endothelial cell density loss post Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy in Asia

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the factors associated with endothelial survival after Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in eyes of Asian patients with bullous keratopathy (BK). Methods In this retrospective, consecutive interventional case series, 72 eyes of 72 patients who underwent DMEK were evaluated. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) were assessed at 12 months postoperatively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess parameters such as age, sex, axial length, preoperative visual acuity, re-bubbling, the ratio of graft to cornea area, iris damage scores, types of filling gases, air or SF6 volume in the anterior chamber (AC) on postoperative day 1, and ECD loss rates at 12 months postoperatively. Results BCVA improved significantly at 12 months after DMEK (P