Ultra-Thin DSAEK Versus DMEK: Comparing Visual Results and Complications in Patients With 1 of Each
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To report the comparative visual results and complications of patients that have an “ultra-thin” DSAEK in one eye and a DMEK graft in the other eye.
Methods
Sixteen patients received an ultra-thin DSAEK in one eye and subsequently received a DMEK in the other eye. Objective and subjective visual results were assessed at 6 or more months post-op, and complications recorded.
Results
Graft thickness for ultra-thin DSAEK eyes was 89 microns (range 71-106). One eye was re-bubbled for the DMEK group and none for DSAEK. There was no difference in mean preop vision for DSAEK eyes (20/50) and that of DMEK eyes (20/40) (p=0.20). The mean best post-op vision of ultrathin DSAEK (20/32) was statistically worse than vision after DMEK (20/25). (p=0.05) Post-op vision of 20/20 or better was present in 13% of “ultrathin” DSAEK eyes and 31% of DMEK eyes. 75% of patients preferred their DMEK eye to their DSAEK eye, and 2 out of 16 said the visions were equivalent.
Conclusion
DMEK surgery results in better visual results than even “ultra-thin” DSAEK surgery. Patients with a DMEK in one eye and a DSAEK in the other usually prefer the DMEK eye, but some patients will state the visual results are the same