Endothelial keratoplasty: the use of viscoelastic as an aid in reattaching the dislocated graft in abnormally structured eyes.

PURPOSE: To explore the feasibility of reattaching the dislocated graft with viscoelastic in abnormally structured eyes after Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Five pseudophakic bullous keratopathy cases (5 eyes) with a history of vitrectomy and/or iris-lens diaphragm injury.

METHODS

After DSAEK, graft dislocation occurred in each of the 5 cases (5 eyes). We attempted to fill the anterior chamber (AC) with an air bubble to push up the dislocated graft, but this was not successful. We then injected balanced salt solution into the vitreous body to obtain normal intraocular pressure (IOP) and injected a small amount of viscoelastic (Healon GV) to support the AC. Next, we injected an air bubble into the AC.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The position of the grafts was checked with a slit lamp and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The IOP was observed with Goldmann tonometer. The best visual acuity was checked.

RESULTS

As observed through the slit lamp and AS-OCT, the grafts reattached well in all patients. The IOP was normal in all patients except one, who had high IOP 1 month postoperatively. After receiving drug treatment, the patient's IOP returned to normal. The grafts had slight edema on postoperative day 1, but became transparent between days 5 and 8.

CONCLUSIONS

Viscoelastic aided in the reattachment of the dislocated graft in eyes with a history of vitrectomy and/or iris-lens diaphragm injury. The presence of viscoelastic in the AC in the early period of post-DSAEK was well tolerated in this small series.