Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
An “All-laser” Endothelial Transplant
Published on: July 6, 2015
Fibrocellular contraction of a lamellar posterior corneal graft
Jesper Hjortdal1, Anders Ivarsen, Steffen Heegaard
1Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Purpose:
To report a case of progressive fibrotic contraction of the posterior lamellar graft after initially successful Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).
Methods:
Retrospective report of clinical data and histopathological analysis of excised corneal tissue.
Results:
A 63-year-old woman underwent uncomplicated DSAEK in her left eye due to endothelial dystrophy. During the first months after surgery, her visual acuity was 0.3, and a semilunar contraction gradually appeared at the edge of the graft. Over the following months, the fibrotic changes progressed and visual acuity decreased, with no improvement after uncomplicated cataract surgery. A successful penetrating keratoplasty was performed, and the excised corneal button with an attached posterior lamellar graft was histologically examined. The affected part of the graft consisted of a thickened fibrocellular tissue positive for glycosaminoglycans and smooth muscle actin.
Conclusions:
The present case demonstrates asymmetric fibrotic contraction of a DSAEK graft.
