Journal of Ophthalmology (Jan 2022)

Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss in Glaucoma and Glaucoma Surgery and the Utility of Management with Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK)

  • Neeru A Vallabh,
  • Stephnie Kennedy,
  • Riccardo Vinciguerra,
  • Keri McLean,
  • Hannah Levis,
  • Davide Borroni,
  • Vito Romano,
  • Colin E Willoughby

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1315299
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2022

Abstract

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The corneal endothelium has a crucial role in maintaining a clear and healthy cornea. Corneal endothelial cell loss occurs naturally with age; however, a diagnosis of glaucoma and surgical intervention for glaucoma can exacerbate a decline in cell number and impairment in morphology. In glaucoma, the mechanisms for this are not well understood and this accelerated cell loss can result in corneal decompensation. Given the high prevalence of glaucoma worldwide, this review aims to explore the abnormalities observed in the corneal endothelium in differing glaucoma phenotypes and glaucoma therapies (medical or surgical including with new generation microinvasive glaucoma surgeries). Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is increasingly being used to manage corneal endothelial failure for glaucoma patients and we aim to review the recent literature evaluating the use of this technique in this clinical scenario.