Comparison of Mini-DMEK versus predescemetal sutures as treatment of acute hydrops in keratoconus

Abstract

Purpose: To compare two surgical treatment options for acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus: Mini-DMEK versus predescemetal sutures. Methods: Sixteen patients were treated by either Mini-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (Mini-DMEK) (n = 7, group 1) or predescemetal sutures (n = 9, group 2) early after onset of acute hydrops. Visual acuity, maximum corneal thickness (SD-OCT) in the affected oedematous area, complications and recurrence rates were retrospectively compared between both groups. Measurements were taken immediately preoperatively as well as 1 day, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (Table 1). Results: Both groups showed reductions in corneal thickness and increased visual acuity shortly after surgery. In group 1 (average age 33 years ± 7 years), the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased from logMAR 1.65 ± 0.7 before Mini-DMEK to logMAR 0.93 ± 0.6 30 days after Mini-DMEK (p = 0.046). During that period, maximum corneal thickness decreased from 1159 ± 338 µm before surgery to 531 ± 75 µm after Mini-DMEK (p = 0.046). Patients from group 2 (average age 34 ± 10 years) had a BCVA of logMAR 1.59 ± 0.8 which increased to logMAR 0.97 ± 0.5 (p = 0.014) 30 days after surgery. At the same time, the preoperative maximum corneal thickness decreased from 1439 ± 272 µm to 476 ± 162 µm (p = 0.014). There was no difference in corneal thickness or BCVA one month after the surgical intervention between both groups (p = 0.394 and p = 0.871). Conclusions: Both techniques, Mini-DMEK and predescemetal sutures, are effective in the treatment of an acute hydrops in keratoconus. Mini-DMEK appears to be beneficial in large DM tears.