Corneal Deturgescence after Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Evaluated by Visante Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose

To evaluate postoperative corneal deturgescence after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) using the Visante anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) system (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc, Dublin, California, USA).

Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

We included 21 eyes (9 males and 12 females; mean age ± standard deviation, 76.3 ± 12 years). The Visante OCT system was used to determine the central and peripheral endothelial keratoplasty graft thickness and total central and peripheral corneal thickness.

Results

Central graft thickness decreased from the first day (243.3 ± 92 μm) to the last visit (147.8 ± 44 μm; P = .0001). The rate of central graft thinning slowed during the following intervals: during the first week (47 μm), at 1 week to 1 month (40 μm), and at 1 to 6 months (25 μm), with a mild increase at 6 to 9 months (5 μm). Peripheral graft thickness continued to decrease from postoperative day 1 (318.5 ± 99 μm) to the last visit (196.7 ± 50 μm; P = .0001). There was a decrease in total central corneal thickness from day 1 (903.8 ± 179 μm) to the last visit (671 ± 93 μm; P = .0001). All patients were imaged with the Visante OCT at the first 4 defined postoperative intervals; however, only 9 eyes were imaged at the last interval of 6 to 9 months.

Conclusions

After DSAEK, there is a greater thinning of the central graft compared with the peripheral graft. The central cornea thickness decreases and peripheral corneal thickness increases. Central corneal graft deturgescence stabilizes by 6 months after surgery.