Endothelial cell density after descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: 1- to 2-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate donor endothelial cell density (ECD) after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

DESIGN

Nonrandomized, prospective clinical study.

METHODS

From a larger group of patients who underwent DMEK for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, complete ECD measurements were available of 26 patients with 6 and 12 months of follow-up, of whom 7 also had 24 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

For the group with 24 months of follow-up, ECD averaged 2700 (+/- 260) cells/mm(2) before surgery, 2200 (+/- 460) cells/mm(2) at 6 months after surgery, 2050 (+/- 330) cells/mm(2) at 12 months after surgery, and 1780 (+/- 390) cells/mm(2) at 24 months after surgery. For the group with 12 months of follow-up, ECD averaged 2620 (+/- 210) cells/mm(2) before surgery, 1850 (+/- 540) cells/mm(2) at 6 months after surgery, and 1680 (+/- 550) cells/mm(2) at 12 months after surgery. In both groups, the ECD decreased significantly between the preoperative and 6-month measurement (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to earlier endothelial keratoplasty techniques, DMEK may be associated with a decrease in donor ECD of approximately 25% in the early postoperative phase.