Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate differences between phakic, pseudophakic, and scarred stromal donor tissue for their influence on complication rates during preparation or implantation and on the postoperative outcome of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).
Methods:
We retrospectively compared 484 eyes undergoing DMEK, divided into 3 subgroups of donor tissue (1: phakic, 2: pseudophakic, and 3: scarred stromal). Visual acuity, central corneal thickness (CCT), and endothelial cell count were monitored preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was analyzed.
Results:
The risk of adherence and tearing during preparation was significantly higher in group 2 than in the other groups (p’s