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Updated: May 27, 2026
Corneal Donor Tissue Preparation for Endothelial Keratoplasty
Published on: June 12, 2012
Automated donor tissue preparation for descemet membrane automated endothelial keratoplasty (DMAEK): an experimental
George D Kymionis1, Sonia H Yoo, Vasilios F Diakonis
1Department of Medicine, Institute of Vision and Optics, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece. kymionis@med.uoc.gr
Background And Objective:
Graft harvesting for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) occurs manually and demonstrates surgical difficulties. In the current study, a mechanical automated technique for preparing a donor Descemet membrane (DM) carrying autologous endothelium for DMEK was evaluated.
Materials And Methods:
Ten rabbit corneas were placed on an artificial anterior chamber and mechanical separation of the DM was conducted using an Epi-keratome (Senturium; Norwood Abbey EyeCare, Victoria, Australia). All DM specimens were properly fixated and optical microscopy was performed.
Results:
DM separation was achieved in a controlled fashion in 7 of 10 eyes. As demonstrated by optical microscopy of the specimens, no corneal stroma was attached on the DM, whereas the endothelial layer was preserved in several areas.
Conclusion:
Automated separation of the DM can be achieved using an Epi-keratome. Additional studies and improvements of the current technique are needed to draw final conclusions.
