Sheets glide-assisted versus Busin glide-assisted insertion techniques for descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK): A comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND

The donor lenticule insertion techniques play a crucial role in outcomes following descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and the current study is aimed to compare two of the commonly performed donor lenticule insertion techniques in DSEK.

METHOD

Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty was performed in 48 eyes of 48 patients at two tertiary eye care centers from January 2014 to December 2016. At one center (Group 1), 26 patients had Sheets glide-assisted lenticule insertion whereas at other center (Group 2), 22 patients had Busin glide-assisted insertion of donor lenticule. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), manifest spherical equivalent, manifest cylinder, endothelial cell density (ECD) and percentage of endothelial cell loss (ECL) were compared between the two groups at 6 months after DSEK. In addition, intraopertaive and postoperative complications were also compared.

RESULTS

At 6 months after DSEK, an insignificant difference was observed in BCVA [Group 1: 0.48 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (log MAR); Group 2: 0.50 log MAR ( = 0.74)], mean manifest spherical equivalent [Group 1: 0.64 diopter (D); Group 2: 0.59 D ( = 0.74)], mean manifest cylinder [Group 1: 1.35 D; Group 2: 1.32 D ( = 0.92)] and mean ECL [Group 1: 26.75%; Group 2: 28.76 ( = 0.44)] between the two groups. In addition, the rate of complications is similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both Sheets glide-assisted and Busin glide-assisted donor lenticule insertion techniques are associated with similar surgical outcomes after DSEK.