Interface blood after descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

The authors report a case of a Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty that was complicated by intraoperative bleeding from the iridotomy site. Slit-lamp examination on postoperative day 1 revealed significant amount of retained blood at the donor-recipient interface and a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/400. The patient was managed with periodic observation and a topical fluoroquinolone and 1% prednisolone. By postoperative month 8, the interface had cleared, and the BCVA improved to 20/50. The patient remained with a clear cornea and stable BCVA of 20/50 at her most recent 1-year postoperative follow-up examination. Performing an intraoperative peripheral iridotomy to reduce the risk of air-associated pupillary block introduces the risk of its inherent complications, including intraoperative bleeding, retained blood cells at the interface, and delayed visual recovery. In this case, periodic observation and conservative management with topical steroids resulted in the resolution of the interface debris, associated keratitis, and improved postoperative visual acuity.