Comparison of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty for iridocorneal endothelial syndrome and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for treating eyes with iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome and comparing the outcomes with those achieved after treating Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED). Design Prospective interventional comparative case series Methods Sixty-three patients (68 eyes) with ICE syndrome or FED were enrolled at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center between March 10, 2014 and May 11, 2018. Eligible patients were divided into two groups: ICE group (eyes, 24; patients, 24) and FED group (eyes, 44; patients, 39). DMEK was performed in all cases. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), endothelial cell loss (ECL), intraocular pressure (IOP), graft survival, and surgical complications were documented. Results In the ICE and FED groups, the mean follow-up duration was 24.9 ± 5 and 25.2 ± 7.7 months, respectively. At 1 year postoperatively, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated 85.7% and 100% cumulative graft success rates (p = 0.017) in patients with ICE and FED, respectively. Postoperative CDVA level was comparable between the two groups through 12-month follow-up, thereafter CDVA was better in the FED group than in the ICE group (p Conclusions DMEK provides comparable short-term visual outcomes in the treatment of ICE to those observed in the treatment of FED, with higher postoperative ECL over FED.