Outcomes of Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty for Vitrectomized Eyes with Sutured Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for vitrectomized eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and transscleral-sutured intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods. In this retrospective study, DMEK cases were reviewed from medical records and divided into two groups: the eyes after PPV and transscleral-sutured IOL implantation (vitrectomized group) and the eyes with in-the-bag IOL implantation (control group) prior to DMEK. The main outcome measures included time of graft unfolding during surgery and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), and endothelial cell density (ECD) at 1, 3, and 6 months after the DMEK. Results. Twenty-three eyes (vitrectomized group, n=8; control group, n=15) in 23 patients were included in this study. The unfolding time was significantly longer in the vitrectomized group than in the control group (P<0.001). Postoperative BSCVA was worse in the vitrectomized group (0.16 ± 0.15) than in the control group (−0.06 ± 0.06; P=0.017). The improvement in BSCVA was negatively correlated with the patients’ age and frequency of previous surgeries. Conclusions. Despite the longer graft unfolding time and limited visual recovery, DMEK should be applicable to vitrectomized eyes with transscleral-sutured IOL implantation.