Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
10:46
Corneal Donor Tissue Preparation for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Published on: September 17, 2014
15.4K
Fungal Infectious Interface Keratitis Presenting 2 Years After Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Neel S Vaidya1,2, Rachel H Epstein1,2, Parag A Majmudar1,2
1Chicago Cornea Consultants, Ltd, Chicago, IL; and.
Cornea
|October 25, 2021
Summary
Late-onset fungal infectious interface keratitis (IIK) can occur years after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). This rare complication may require combined antifungal therapy and potentially penetrating keratoplasty.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is a lamellar keratoplasty procedure.
- Infectious interface keratitis (IIK) is a potential complication following corneal transplantation.
Observation:
- A case of fungal IIK is presented, occurring over two years after an uncomplicated DMEK surgery.
- The initial donor corneal rim culture showed Candida albicans/dubliniensis, but no antifungal treatment was administered at that time.
Findings:
- The patient developed clinical infection more than two years postoperatively.
- Treatment involved systemic antifungals and intrastromal amphotericin-B injection.
- Penetrating keratoplasty was ultimately required, resulting in well-preserved visual acuity.
Implications:
- Fungal IIK is a rare but possible complication of DMEK, even years after surgery.
- Management strategies may include systemic and intrastromal antifungal therapies.
- Penetrating keratoplasty might be necessary for definitive treatment in some cases.
