Anterior segment OCT-based diagnosis and management of Descemet's membrane detachment.

AIMS: To evaluate anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in the diagnosis and treatment of Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) with severe corneal edema.

METHODS

Nine eyes of 7 consecutive patients with suspected DMD with severe corneal edema due to different causes were imaged with the AS-OCT system. Configuration of Descemet's membrane (DM) was delineated before and after treatment, and quantitative analysis was performed. An appropriate treatment was chosen based on the imaging findings.

RESULTS

DMD was demonstrated as being present in all eyes via AS-OCT. Different statuses of the DM including planar/nonplanar detachment, local/extensive detachment, and rupture was documented using AS-OCT images. Two eyes were treated with conservative therapy, 6 eyes with intracameral air/gas tamponade and 1 eye with penetrating keratoplasty. One of the air tamponade treatments failed and all the other treatments were successful.

CONCLUSION

AS-OCT is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of DMD both in terms of selecting the appropriate treatment, and monitoring treatment outcomes when corneal edema is present.