DMEK offers faster visual recovery compared to UT-DSAEK, study finds

Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) offers faster visual recovery compared to ultra-thin Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK), while both techniques have similar long-term visual acuity and rejection rates, according to a study.

The review focused on the proportion of patients achieving a best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) of 20/20 at 6 months post-surgery, the rejection rate 1 year after surgery, BSCVA at the last follow-up, and the postoperative immunomodulating regimen.

The results revealed that a higher proportion of DMEK patients achieved a BSCVA of 20/20 at 6 months compared to other techniques. UT-DSAEK and DMEK demonstrated similar rejection rates; however, UT-DSAEK showed a lower risk of re-bubbling (4% compared to 20% for DMEK).

Reference
Spelta S, Micera A, Gaudenzi D, et al. A Functional and Immunologic Point of View on Corneal Endothelial Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med. 2024;13(12):3431. doi: 10.3390/jcm13123431. PMID: 38929958; PMCID: PMC11204674.