Case report of spontaneous corneal clearance after subtotal graft detachment following combined Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty and cataract surgery

Purpose

Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) is a bilateral, sporadic or autosomal dominant, non-inflammatory corneal dystrophy characterized by the progressive loss of corneal endothelial cells. While DMEK has been proven to attain better post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), it has presented the challenge of more frequent postoperative graft detachments.^1,2 Combined cataract surgery along with DMEK has also been reported to increase the risk of early postoperative graft detachment.³While several case reports have illustrated spontaneous corneal clearance after significant graft detachment, the question regarding how much donor tissue is required to achieve and maintain corneal clearance and to ensure long term optimal visual outcomes remains.

Methods

In this case report, we describe an event of spontaneous corneal clearance after near subtotal graft detachment noted in the early postoperative period in a patient with FECD who underwent combined DMEK with a 7.5 mm donor graft and intraocular lens placement.

Results

On postoperative week 2, the patient presented with count fingers vision, diffuse microcystic edema, and 75 % detachment of the DMEK graft. At postoperative month 6, the patient presented with vision of 20/30, a clear cornea, DMEK graft one fourth attached and folded over on itself in the anterior chamber.

Conclusion

Our case highlights spontaneous corneal clearance after more than three-quarters detachment of the donor graft following combined DMEK and cataract surgery. Although we cannot predict long term corneal transparency in our patient, the stability at 6 months implies that there is endothelial cell migration in patients with minimal DMEK graft attachment.