Histopathology of a retrocorneal membrane after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background We report the first histopathologically proven occurrence of a retrocorneal membrane after Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty. Case presentation A white Caucasian 76-year-old woman received penetrating keratoplasty on her right eye 2 years after Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty surgery with combined cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation for Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy due to an allograft rejection with ensuing graft failure. Her preoperative vision was counting fingers (20/2000) caused by immunological debris, corneal edema, and secondary membrane formation. Her postoperative vision at 3 months was 20/125. The histopathological evaluation showed a membranous structure overlying the denuded Descemet membrane. Conclusions We report a case of a histopathologically proven retrocorneal membrane after Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty surgery.

Keywords

• Retrocorneal membrane
• Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty
• Graft failure
• Histopathology