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  • Ripasudil may hasten recovery after Descemet stripping only

    Cornea/External Disease

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    This study evaluates the efficacy of Descemet stripping with postoperative rho kinase inhibitor drops in patients with Fuchs corneal dystrophy.

    Study design

    The authors performed a phase 4, non-placebo controlled prospective trial in 18 patients. Participants were assigned to 4 daily doses of ripasudil for 2 months or no treatment after undergoing Descemet stripping without endothelial keratoplasty.

    Outcomes

    Compared with controls, the ripasudil cohort demonstrated faster vision recovery (4.6 vs. 6.5 weeks; P<0.01) and had a higher average endothelial cell density (ECD) through 12 months.

    Limitations

    The study was non-randomized and the patients and observer were not masked.

    Clinical significance

    The findings suggest that Descemet stripping only combined with a postoperative ripasudil regimen may be a viable treatment for patients with Fuchs who have a peripheral ECD of 1000 cells/mm2 or greater. This is a very promising and exciting result that has the potential to greatly alter the treatment of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy in patients with clear peripheral corneas. A randomized, controlled trial is necessary to confirm these results.