Endothelial Corneal Transplant is one of the most modern and succesful corneal procedures available. It is ideal for patients that have a condition falled Fuch’s Corneal Dystrophy, in which the cornea tends to swell due a problem with the endothelial cells (that are charged with keeping the cornea clear). It also ideal for cases where these cells have decreased due to surgery, glaucoma or trauma.
There are several techniques to replace the deficient endothelial cells with new ones, which are gathered from donated corneas:
- DSAEK – Descemet-Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty involves obtaining the endothelial cells in a “thick” cut. This is the traditional method. It works very well, but the vision may not reach it’s full potential.
- UT-DSAEK – Ultra-Thin Descemet-Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty involves obtaining the endothelial cells in a “thin” cut. The visual results are better than traditional DSAEK and the incision to put the cells into the eye is smaller.
- DMEK – Descement Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty involves obtaining only the endothelial cells and it’s membrane. Vision potencial is similar to UT-DSAEK, but it has a higher rate of needing a re-operation.