Recent studies say that Ultra - Thin DSAEK is probably the future of the Endothelial Keratoplasty which is used for corneal transplants. It claims to have the benefits and effectiveness of both DSAEK (Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty) and DMEK (Descemet’s membrane endothelial Keratoplasty).
How is ultra-thin DSAEK different from DAESK and DMEK?
Before taking a look at ultra-thin DSAEK, it is important to know about the parent cornea transplant procedures.
DSAEK is a partial thickness corneal transplant in which only the patients’ endothelium and Descemets’s membrane is removed and replaced with the donor’s. However, it doesn’t give much fruitful results. The patient’s cornea remains far away from its original state. Also, the patient is not able to acquire 20/20 vision after DSAEK, the chances are 20/30. Every 1 out of 10 pattients face a graft rejection within two years of the cornea transplant process.
DMEK ( Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty) succeeded in overcoming the above drawbacks of DSAEK. It involves the transplantation of only Descemet’s membrane. The donor tissue is dipped in a liquid and then inserted into the patient’s eye.
The percentage of patient’s vision acquiring after DMEK were raised to 20/25. This cornea transplant left the patient’s cornea quite close to its original condition. The recovery of vision becomes quite smooth after DMEK. But the one and only setback involved is tissue wastage. The surgeons find it difficult to insert the tissue in the patient’s eye.
Ultra-Thin DSAEK, a slight variation in the DSAEK procedure has gained mastery over these two transplant procedures. This technique bridges DSAEK and DMEK.
This procedure involves double pass method. The donor tissue is mounted in the usual way and then another head is mounted based on the bed thickness. Eventually, it gives a wedge shape to the tissue transplanted. It not only provides better vision recovery, but also reduces the probability of graft rejection.
There are many more benefits related to Ultra-Thin DSAEK which are yet to be discovered. DSAEK has been constantly evolving and there are many unknown facts related to this cornea transplant procedure.
How is ultra-thin DSAEK different from DAESK and DMEK?
Before taking a look at ultra-thin DSAEK, it is important to know about the parent cornea transplant procedures.
DSAEK is a partial thickness corneal transplant in which only the patients’ endothelium and Descemets’s membrane is removed and replaced with the donor’s. However, it doesn’t give much fruitful results. The patient’s cornea remains far away from its original state. Also, the patient is not able to acquire 20/20 vision after DSAEK, the chances are 20/30. Every 1 out of 10 pattients face a graft rejection within two years of the cornea transplant process.
DMEK ( Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty) succeeded in overcoming the above drawbacks of DSAEK. It involves the transplantation of only Descemet’s membrane. The donor tissue is dipped in a liquid and then inserted into the patient’s eye.
The percentage of patient’s vision acquiring after DMEK were raised to 20/25. This cornea transplant left the patient’s cornea quite close to its original condition. The recovery of vision becomes quite smooth after DMEK. But the one and only setback involved is tissue wastage. The surgeons find it difficult to insert the tissue in the patient’s eye.
Ultra-Thin DSAEK, a slight variation in the DSAEK procedure has gained mastery over these two transplant procedures. This technique bridges DSAEK and DMEK.
This procedure involves double pass method. The donor tissue is mounted in the usual way and then another head is mounted based on the bed thickness. Eventually, it gives a wedge shape to the tissue transplanted. It not only provides better vision recovery, but also reduces the probability of graft rejection.
There are many more benefits related to Ultra-Thin DSAEK which are yet to be discovered. DSAEK has been constantly evolving and there are many unknown facts related to this cornea transplant procedure.