Optimizing pre-Descemet endothelial keratoplasty technique
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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Corneal Donor Tissue Preparation for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Published on: September 17, 2014
Andrew R Ross1, Dalia G Said, Rossella A M Colabelli Gisoldi
1From the Department of Ophthalmology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Section of Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham (Ross, Said, Dua), Nottingham, United Kingdom; Department of Ophthalmology, Aswan University (Ross, El-Amin, Gabr, Moniem), Aswan, Egypt; Hospital San Giovanni Addolorata (Colabelli Gisoldi, Pocobelli), Rome, Department of Medicine and Science of Ageing, Ophthalmic Clinic, National High Technology Eye Center, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti (Nubile, Mastropasqua), Pescara, Department of Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmological Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Florence (Mencucci), Florence, Italy.
Abstract:
Pre-Descemet endothelial keratoplasty (PDEK) is an alternative technique to Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). The preparation of PDEK tissue by pneumatic dissection is simple and reproducible. The PDEK clamp helps to consistently obtain a type 1 big bubble. The mean size of type 1 big bubble is 7.255 ± 0.535 × 6.745 ± 0.668 mm. The volume of air required to obtain type 1 big bubble is 0.14 to 0.37 mL. Dissection of PDEK tissue can be achieved by trephination or manual excision. Insertion of tissue into the recipient eye can be by injection or pulling. Unfolding techniques used for PDEK are similar to those used in DMEK. Unlike DMEK, PDEK tissue is easier to handle and unscroll and allows use of younger donors. It could help surgeons converting to endothelial keratoplasty, with significant advantages in preparation, handling, and unscrolling in the eye.
