Microscope integrated optical coherence tomography guided descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the outcomes of descemet stripping automated endothelial kerato-plasty (DSAEK) in congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and to evaluate the role of microscope integrated optical coherence tomography (Mi-OCT) during the surgery. Design: Retrospective data analysis. Methods: A retrospective study from the medical records of all those patients who were diagnosed with CHED and underwent DSAEK at our centre from 2015 were evaluated. All patients underwent Mi-OCT-guided standard DSAEK procedure. Intra-operative difficulties, visual outcomes and graft survival were recorded. Results: A total of 48 eyes of 29 patients with a mean age of 9.87 ± 8.2 years and mean follow-up of 17.3 months were evaluated. Thirty-nine eyes underwent primary DSAEK and 9 eyes underwent PKP. Three eyes who underwent PKP had failed graft for which they underwent DSAEK. The mean preoperative Snellen’s visual acuity was 1.71 ± 0.66 and the mean preoperative central corneal thickness was 1.10 ± 0.174 mm. Intraoperatively, all the grafts were attached which was confirmed using Mi-OCT. Graft detachment was seen in the immediate postoperative period in 10.4% (4 eyes) of primary DSAEK, out of which DM scoring was not performed in 2 eyes. Following DSAEK, cornea cleared at four-week follow-up in 89.7% eyes and in all the eyes the cornea cleared at six-week follow-up. Conclusion: Primary DSAEK could be a preferred option over PKP for CHED with early presentation and in those eyes with failed primary PKP. Mi-OCT is a very useful tool in these eyes for various intraoperative procedures, thereby improving the outcomes of the procedure.