Outcomes of repeat descemetopexy in post-cataract surgery descemet membrane detachment.

Objective: To assess the outcomes of repeat descemetopexy in post-cataract surgery Descemet membrane detachment.

Methods: Retrospective interventional case series. Methods: This multicenter, institutional study done between January 2007 and July 2013 included 13 eyes of 13 patients who underwent repeat descemetopexy after a failed initial procedure in post-cataract surgery Descemet membrane detachment. Patients without a minimum follow-up of 1 month were excluded. They underwent repeat descemetopexy with either 100% air or isoexpansile mixture of 14% C3F8. At 1 month, final status of Descemet membrane, final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and incidence of postsurgical complications were noted.

Results: Mean age was 63.7 ± 6.6 years; male-to-female ratio, 8:5. Descemet membrane detachment involved the visual axis in all cases. Mean interval between 2 interventions was 5.1 ± 3.1 days. Same gas was used in 9 of 13 patients (air, 4; C3F8, 5). Air was used earlier and C3F8 later in 4 patients. At 1 month, 12 of 13 patients had an attached Descemet membrane and improved mean logMAR BCVA (P = .0036). One case developed postoperative pupillary block and 1 case required endothelial transplantation.

Conclusions: Repeat descemetopexy for post-cataract surgery Descemet membrane detachment gives good anatomic and visual results and is definitely a worthwhile attempt before a complex surgical procedure like keratoplasty is offered.