Persistence of Descemet membrane and recipient-type endothelium after keratoplasty. A case report.

A case is presented of a retained Descemet's membrane after penetrating keratoplasty, highlighting the importance of the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the diagnosis and treatment planning of keratoplasty complications. A review of literature is also presented. An 88 year-old man underwent penetrating keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy. A retained host Descemet's membrane was detected. The retained membrane went unnoticed until the visual acuity decreased. The ophthalmological examination showed the presence of an opalescent membrane located below the endothelium, and was identified as the Descemet membrane of the receptor. Nd:YAG laser membranotomy was performed after the diagnosis. To conclude, it is noted that the inadvertent retention of the host Descemet membrane is a rare complication in penetrating keratoplasty. The anterior segment OCT was used to determine the diagnosis, and Nd:YAG laser membranotomy is an indicated treatment in these cases.