Should We Still Be Doing DSAEK?

In this interview from AAO 2017, Dr. Winston Chamberlain discusses preliminary data from the DETECT trial, a randomized, double-masked clinical trial comparing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) to Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). The trial comprised 50 eyes with Fuchs dystrophy or bullous keratopathy that were treated with ultra-thin DSAEK (graft thickness 70-90 microns) or DMEK. At 3 and 6 months postop, visual acuity was better in DMEK eyes. However, Dr. Chamberlain still personally prefers to perform DSAEK in eyes with complex anterior segment pathology. The trial will continue to follow patients through 2 years.