Purpose: To evaluate outcomes after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in eyes with glaucoma drainage devices.
Methods: This is a retrospective review of 24 cases performed by a single surgeon (S.B.H.) on 20 eyes. Data were gathered on demographics, ocular history, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes. Outcome measures included primary graft failure, secondary graft failure, endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure, and visual acuity.
Results: With a mean follow-up of 30.3 ± 19.6 months, there was no occurrence of primary graft failure, and the rate of secondary graft failure was 29%. Survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively, were 87% [95% confidence interval (CI): 65%-96%], 80% (95% CI: 55%-92%), and 70% (95% CI: 39%-88%). Compared with ECD of the donor lenticule, endothelial cell loss was 49 ± 16% (n = 21) at postoperative month 3, 59 ± 16% (n = 20) at month 6, 61 ± 20% (n = 16) at month 12, and stabilized at 75 ± 17% (n = 9) by month 18. Compared with CCT during the visit before surgery, CCT decreased to 83 ± 18% (n = 18) at postoperative month 3 and gradually increased to 95 ± 11% (n = 6) at month 24. There were 4 (17%) cases of intraocular pressure elevation above 25 mm Hg. Improved visual acuity occurred in 71% of patients.
Conclusions: Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in eyes with corneal edema secondary to endothelial dysfunction in the presence of a previous glaucoma drainage device is a successful procedure. However, intermediate term endothelial cell loss is significant, as is the graft failure rate.