Relaxing descemetotomy: microscope-integrated OCT-guided technique for acute corneal hydrops

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery

Background:

• Acute corneal hydrops is a vision-threatening condition.
• Taut Descemet membrane detachments can be refractory to standard treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Descemet membrane (DM) relaxing incisions and air descemetopexy for acute corneal hydrops.
• To assess a novel surgical approach for recalcitrant cases.

Main Methods:

• Three cases of acute corneal hydrops with taut DM detachments were treated.
• Intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided descemetotomy was performed.
• Subsequent air descemetopexy was utilized to reapproximate the DM.

Main Results:

• Descemet membrane reattachment was successful and maintained postoperatively.
• Corneal edema resolved relatively rapidly in all patients.
• The technique was effective in cases unresponsive to conservative management and air injection alone.

Conclusions:

• Descemet membrane relaxing incisions with air descemetopexy offer a viable treatment option.
• This surgical intervention is beneficial for acute corneal hydrops with taut DM detachments refractory to other therapies.