Making DMEK Easier

In this interview from AAO 2016, Dr. Donald Tan discusses his hybrid Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) technique. Dr. Tan has found a way to make DMEK easier by using standard Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) technique. After he strips Descemet's from the stroma, he replaces the stroma, loosely layered and then coils the graft into an EndoGlide inserter. Using standard EndoGlide forceps, he holds on to the stroma as it is delivered, avoiding the curling that typically occurs with DMEK grafts. Dr. Tan has observed endothelial cell loss rates of approximately 28% with this method, which approaches the levels typically seen with DMEK.