Descemetocele formation in a patient with a postoperative corneal dellen

Dellen formation generally follows localized evaporation and dehydration of the cornea. The condition follows a disruption in the ocular tear film and usually can be managed conservatively with lubricants. We recently treated a patient with a postoperative dellen that progressed to a descemetocele and required a patch graft to prevent perforation. Recognition of this potential complication emphasizes the need to begin treatment immediately after the onset of dellen.