A chandelier-illuminated anterior chamber maintainer for use during descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in patients with advanced bullous keratopathy.

A new 25-gauge illuminated anterior chamber maintainer composed of a 25-gauge infusion cannula through which a 29-gauge chandelier fiber probe passes was developed for use during Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty to treat patients with advanced bullous keratopathy. This device, which is compatible with a xenon or mercury vapor illuminator to generate powerful wide-angle illumination from the cone-shaped chandelier fiber tip, is self-retained at the corneal limbus after insertion of the infusion cannula through a corneal side port. Because of its bifunctionality, that is, bright illumination and adequate irrigation flow, excellent visibility with stable anterior chamber maintenance can be concurrently obtained for Descemet stripping, endothelial graft insertion, and subsequent intraocular manipulations without the need for use of a biologic staining technique or ophthalmic viscosurgical products even in patients with severe corneal haze. This new device facilitates safe and simple intraocular manipulation during Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.