Early Result of Femtosecond Laser Assisted Descemet's Membrane Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty

Abstract

Purpose: To report the first cases of Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty in patients with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Methods: Four eyes of 4 patients who had corneal edema from pseudophakic bullous keratopathy were enrolled. We performed femtosecond laser-assisted Descemet's membrane stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK). We then evaluated preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuities (BCVA), manifest refractions, keratometries, topographic astigmatisms, corneal pachymetries, and perioperative complications. Results: The mean follow-up period was 6 months. Three of the four eyes had successful transplantations. Since the operation, these patients have shown improvement in visual acuity and have recovered from corneal edema. However, in one patient, the transplanted corneal disc was dislocated, and he needed an additional procedure for reattachment. Conclusions: The lack of corneal incisions or sutures in DSEK was helpful for maintaining corneal curvature and globe integrity after surgery. The surgery resulted in rapid visual rehabilitation and prevented suture-induced complications. With a femtosecond laser, we could prepare donor cornea in an automated and standardized fashion. In conclusion, femtosecond laser-assisted DSEK has significant advantages over standard penetrating keratoplasty for patients with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.