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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Corneal Donor Tissue Preparation for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Published on: September 17, 2014
Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography-Assisted Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty in the DISCOVER
Aparna S Patel1, Jeffrey M Goshe1, Sunil K Srivastava2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Purpose:
Intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) may facilitate successful transition to Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery via improved efficiency of tissue orientation. The purpose of this study is to report a large consecutive series of iOCT-assisted DMEK, inclusive of all learning curve cases.
Design:
Prospective consecutive case series.
Methods:
The Determination of Feasibility of Intraoperative Spectral Domain Microscope Combined/Integrated OCT Visualization During En Face Retinal and Ophthalmic Surgery (DISCOVER) study is a single-site, multisurgeon, IRB-approved investigational device prospective study. The first 100 consecutive iOCT-assisted DMEK surgeries performed by 1 attending corneal surgeon (JMG) and 6 novice surgeons (cornea fellows under supervision) were reviewed. iOCT was utilized for tissue orientation. Patient demographics, tissue characteristics, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative complications are reported.
Outcomes:
(1) Utility of iOCT based on surgeon reporting during surgery, (2) intraoperative graft unscrolling efficiency, and (3) frequency of postoperative complications.
Results:
One hundred eyes of 76 patients were enrolled. Forty-three cases were performed by 1 staff physician and 57 cases were performed by 6 cornea fellows. Concurrent phacoemulsification with lens implantation was performed in 52 cases (52%). Nine eyes (9%) required rebubbling. Two eyes (2.0%) experienced primary graft failure. One graft failure resulted from surgeon error in interpreting the iOCT. Average unscrolling time was 4.4 ± 4.1 minutes (range: 0.7-27.6 minutes).
Conclusions:
iOCT facilitates DMEK orientation without the need for external markings. For novice DMEK surgeons, complication rates and unscrolling times compare favorably with alternative tissue orientation methods.
