Partitioning an Artificial Anterior Chamber With a Latex Diaphragm to Simulate Anterior and Posterior Segment Pressure Dynamics: The "DMEK Practice Stage," Where Surgeons Can Rehearse the "DMEK Dance".

PURPOSE: To present a novel apparatus for simulating the anterior and posterior segment pressure dynamics involved in executing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery when using a chamber-shallowing technique.

METHODS

An artificial anterior chamber (AAC), 18-mm trephine, latex glove, two 3-mL syringes, and one donor cornea comprising an intact corneoscleral cap from which a DMEK tissue was peeled and punched are required for the model. After making the corneal incisions with the corneoscleral cap mounted on the AAC in the usual fashion, the corneoscleral cap is remounted onto the dried AAC over an 18-mm latex diaphragm. The space between the latex diaphragm and the cornea is filled with saline to pressurize the anterior chamber, and the posterior segment is pressurized with air from a syringe. The resulting apparatus comprises a posterior segment and anterior chamber that exert pressure on each other by way of a distensible latex diaphragm.

RESULTS

A novice and experienced DMEK surgeon and 2 eye bank technicians were able to assemble the apparatus and perform the routine steps of a DMEK procedure, including maneuvers that require shallowing the anterior chamber and lowering its pressure. Only one cornea was required per apparatus.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a novel in vitro model of the human eye that more closely mimics the anterior and posterior segment pressure dynamics of in vivo DMEK surgery than average human and animal cadaveric globes. The model is easy to assemble, inexpensive, and applicable to a range of teaching environments.