Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare visual acuity and refractive outcomes with lamellar DSAEK graft thickness over time.
Methods: :
We retrospectively analyzed eyes that underwent DSAEK surgery and had anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) measurements. We compared postoperative logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and manifest refraction to AS-OCT graft thickness at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Comparisons were made using paired T-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Results: :
Forty-three eyes underwent DSAEK surgery and had AS-OCT imaging post-operatively. The average patient age was 66 ± 12 years old (range: 40-86 years old). Mean logMAR BCVA at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months were 0.58, 0.39, 0.24, 0.22, and 0.33, respectively. Further analysis was performed in patients who had both visual acuity and AS-OCT measured at the same visit. There were no significant correlations of logMAR BCVA, spherical equivalent, or amount of cylinder with graft thickness by AS-OCT at any time point. There was a trend of patient age correlating with logMAR BCVA at 1 month (r=0.78, p=0.07), 3 months (r=0.78, p=0.07), and 1 year (0.40, p=0.01). There was no correlation of eye bank post-cut graft thickness or transplant size to logMAR BCVA at any postoperative time points.
Conclusions: :
There is a growing interest in the effect of DSAEK graft thickness on patient visual outcomes. Our study showed that preoperative (post-cut) and postoperative graft thickness were not correlated to logMAR BCVA or refractive outcomes at any time point. There was a trend of younger patient age correlating with better logMAR BCVA.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • cornea: endothelium