Comparison of Endothelial Keratoplasty Techniques in Patients With Prior Glaucoma Surgery: A Case-Matched Study.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) with those of Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in eyes with prior glaucoma surgery.

Design: Case-matched retrospective comparative case series.

Methods: Setting/study population: 46 DMEK procedures were matched with 46 DSEK procedures at a single institution. Observation procedures: cases were matched based on preoperative visual acuity, lens status, and surgical indication. Main outcome measurements: the outcome measurements included visual acuity improvement, primary and secondary graft failure, endothelial rejection, intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, and the need for additional glaucoma intervention.

Results: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved by -0.89 logMAR in the DMEK group and -0.62 logMAR in the DSEK group (P = 0.005) at 1 year follow-up. Visual acuity was significantly better in the DMEK group at postoperative months 1, 3, and 12 and at last follow-up. The percentage of patients achieving 20/40 or better best-corrected visual acuity was higher in the DMEK group at all time points, notably 47% in the DMEK group versus 15% in the DSEK group at 1 year (P = 0.002). Secondary graft failure was lower in the DMEK group (DMEK 0% vs. DSEK 17%; P = 0.006). Primary graft failure rates and rebubling rates were similar. There were no differences in the rates of postoperative IOP elevation or in the need for additional glaucoma intervention.

Conclusions: In complex eyes with prior glaucoma surgery, DMEK offers faster visual recovery, better final visual acuity, and a lower rate of secondary graft failure compared to DSEK during the first postoperative year and beyond.