results of descemet`s stripping with endothelial keratoplasty (dsek) in patients with bullous keratopathy after cataract surgery

purpose: to evaluate the anatomical and visual outcomes of descemet`s stripping with endothelial keratoplasty (dsek) in patients with bullous keratopathy after cataract surgery. methods: the study was performed on 20 eyes of 20 patients (13 male, 7 female) with bullous keratopathy (pseudophakic=15, aphakic=5). donor lenticule was prepared using a microkeratome (n=12) or manual dissection (n=8). patients were excluded in case of extensive corneal scarring and/or vascularization. dsek surgery was performed by removal of recipient endothelium and descemet`s membrane, and replacement by the donor lenticule. patients were followed at least for 6 months. results: mean age at surgery was 64.6±6.7 years and mean follow up was 7.3±2.1 months. at final follow up 15 grafts were clear. failure was seen in 5 cases. visual acuity logmar was 1.96±0.38 before and 0.52±0.09 after the procedure (p<0.0001). mean topographic keratometry was 46.0±2.9 d before surgery which reached 44.4±1.7 d postoperatively (p=0.219). preoperative astigmatism was 2.5±1.7 d which decreased to 1.1±2.3 d at final follow up (p=0.229). mean pre- and postoperative surface regularity index (sri) were 1.47±0.60 and 0.43±0.17, respectively (p=0.006). no case of endothelial rejection was observed. conclusion: dsek surgery is an effective treatment modality in cases of bullous keratopathy after cataract surgery with acceptable anatomical and visual outcomes.