Bilateral Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty in an Infant With Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy.

Publication/Presentation Date

9-1-2021

Abstract

PURPOSE: Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) has been reported in children but not in infants. We evaluate the outcomes and complications of DMEK for an infant with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy.

METHODS: A 3-month-old male infant with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy underwent unilateral DMEK, which was complicated by incomplete graft unfurling. Bilateral DMEK was then performed successfully. The visual acuity, pachymetry, corneal transparency, and complications were assessed over 3 months of follow-up.

RESULTS: At 3 months postoperatively, the nystagmus had resolved and visual acuity improved from 20/2000 to 20/270 in each eye. Pachymetry, which had been unmeasurable preoperatively, was 695 μm in the right eye and 678 μm in the left eye. On examination, there was improvement in corneal transparency bilaterally. There were no postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that DMEK is feasible in infants and propose that it should be considered in the treatment of corneal endothelial disorders of infancy. In theory, DMEK might confer improved visual potential and lower risk for rejection compared with other corneal transplantation techniques, although further studies in this age group are needed.

Volume

40

Issue

9

First Page

1201

Last Page

1203

ISSN

1536-4798

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

33201061

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics

Document Type

Article

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS