Retrocorneal membrane after penetrating keratoplasty

Retrocorneal membranes after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) is a well known complications, resulting from unintentional retention of the host Descemet's membrane (DM), or donor DM detachment. We describe for the first time the formation of a retrocorneal inflammatory membrane that mimics donor DM detachment or retained recipient DM, and discuss the differential diagnosis of a retrocorneal membrane after PKP. Two patients who underwent PKP and subsequently developed a retrocorneal membrane are described. In both patients' eyes a retrocorneal membrane was observed immediately following penetrating keratoplasty. While the first patient's membrane persisted for 33 months in the presence of a clear graft, the second patient's membrane disintegrated and dissolved within two weeks following treatment with topical steroids. The first case describes a patient with retained Descemet's membrane, while in the second case, it turned out that the retrocorneal membrane was actually an inflammatory membrane.