[The effect of descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty combined with phacoemulsification cataract surgery or lens exchange].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect and explore the complications of Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) combined with phacoemulsification cataract surgery or lens exchange in corneal endothelial dysfunction eyes with lens disorders.

METHODS

Retrospective case series. Eighteen consecutive cases (20 eyes) were performed DSAEK combined with lens surgery from December 2007 to December 2008 in Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital. Five cases (7 eyes) were performed DSAEK combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) insertion. Seven cases were combined with anterior chamber IOL extraction, anterior vitrectomy and posterior chamber IOL insertion. Six aphakia cases were performed with DSAEK combined with anterior vitrectomy and sclera fixation posterior chamber IOL insertion. Postoperatively, the visual acuity, corneal transparency, central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell density (ECD) and complications were observed during the follow-up.

RESULTS

The irritation was disappeared in all of patients. All of the corneas became transparent. The preoperative and postoperative mean CCT of the recipient beds was 859 µm and 553 µm respectively. T value was 5.303 (t = 5.303, P < 0.01). It was extremely significant difference. The mean ECD of the donors was 2987 cells/mm(2). The ECD was 1803 cells/mm(2) in three months postoperatively. The rate of endothelial cells loss was 41%. The visual acuity improved significantly except 9 eyes which had fundus disorders. Six eyes were better than 0.8. It was 55% in normal retinal function patients (6/11). The inflammatory reaction of the anterior chamber IOL eyes was most serious. Six eyes underwent graft dislocation. Five cases underwent high intraocular pressure. One case occurred graft rejection. These complications occurred in anterior chamber IOL eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

DSAEK combined with phacoemulsification cataract surgery or lens exchange is a safe and effective surgical treatment for corneal endothelial dysfunction with lens disorders. More complications occur in anterior chamber IOL eyes. DSAEK should be cautiously chosen in abnormal iris and chamber angle structural eyes.