Keratometry and re-bubbling in DMEK (descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty) corneal transplants

Abstract

Purpose : To assess the impact of corneal curvature on graft fixation after DMEK corneal transplants.

Methods : We carried out a prospective observational study based on data collected on all DMEKs performed between March 2014 and November 2017 within our department. Were included in the study, patients with corneal disorders (fuchs dystrophy, bullous keratopathy). Corneal curvature of the concerned eye was measured before each intervention using an automatic keratometer (Visionix). In the general population the average keratometry value is 43.5 diopters. Below that value the cornea is flatter and above it, the cornea is more curved. We separated our population in two groups, one where re-bubbling was necessary (group 1) and the other one where re-bubbling wasn’t necessary (group2).

Results : We studied 74 cases involving 57 patients. The average age was 73 years (SD 10) and the population was 67% women. The average keratometry value was 43 diopters (SD 2). A re-bubbling was necessary in 56% of the cases and a second re-bubbling in 21%. In group 1 the average age was 74 years (SD 9) and 68% were women, in group 2 the average age was 72 years (SD 11) with 66% of women. The mean value of keratometry was 43D (SD 2) in group 1 and 44D (SD 2) in group 2 with p = 0.21 in bivariate analysis and p = 0.58 in multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and sex.

Conclusions : There was no significant difference between the keratometry values and the need for a postoperative re-bubbling. The cornea’s curvature of patients does not seem to have any impact on the good fixation of the graft.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.