Late DLEK failure patients benefit from repeat endothelial keratoplasty

Repeat endothelial keratoplasty (EK) is effective in improving corneal clarity in patients with failed deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK), declares a study published in Cornea.

Dr Peter Kim et al., Department of Ophthalmology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada, compiled a retrospective, interventional case series on 10 eyes of 9 patients. Clinical records were reviewed of all participants who experienced failed DLEK surgery and underwent repeat EK surgery. Of the patients included in the study, 7 eyes had their failed DSEK donor disc removed and 3 eyes underwent repeat EK without the removal of the failed donor disc.

All eyes saw vast improvements in corneal clarity and visual acuity. There were no significant postoperative complications recorded after EK surgery.

It was concluded that repeat EK is a suitable and effective alternative to penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Surgery can be performed with or without removing the failed donor disc.