Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Corneal Donor Tissue Preparation for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Published on: September 17, 2014
Standardized "no-touch" technique for descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
Isabel Dapena1, Kyros Moutsouris, Konstantinos Droutsas
1Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
We describe a standardized technique for "no-touch" isolated Descemet membrane transplant, ie, Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). All essential steps, including patient preparation and descemetorhexis as well as DMEK graft implantation, orientation, unrolling, centering, appositioning, and fixation, are described in detail. In the management of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, the technique may provide a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better (≥ 0.8) in three-quarters of cases and an endothelial cell density of about 1800 to 2000 cells/mm(2) at 6 months after surgery. No-touch DMEK may therefore be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of corneal endothelial disorders, making endothelial keratoplasty accessible to most corneal surgeons without requiring major investments while providing an unprecedented visual rehabilitation rate and outcome.

