Ultra-Thin DSAEK: the Thinner, the Easier

Since its first descriptions in the early 2000s, endothelial transplantation (or posterior lamellar keratoplasty) has advanced significantly and is now a “here-to-stay” surgery used worldwide with 2 main techniques: Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) and Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK).

DSAEK was introduced in 2004 by Dr Price (Indianapolis, USA) and involves replacement of the patient’s diseased endothelium and Descemet Membrane (DM) with endothelium, DM, and posterior corneal stroma from the donor cornea. To do so, the optimal lenticules for DSAEK are prepared rapidly and consistently via automated dissection of donated corneas.

For a variety of pathologies, such as advanced pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) or vitrectomized eyes, the use of DSAEK is largely favored over DMEK. More generally, the DSAEK procedure is preferred in cases where the DMEK procedure would be too difficult to achieve.

Several studies suggest that endothelial graft thickness has an influence on postoperative best-corrected visual acuity after a DSAEK procedure, and that thinner DSAEK grafts result in faster and improved visual acuity recovery.

Moria stands at the forefront of DSAEK surgery by introducing new automated microkeratome and pressure-maintainer equipment (ACP) to simplify, standardize and further optimize ultra-thin DSAEK graft preparation.

This webinar provides a deep scientific understanding of why and how the combination of latest technology by Moria allows to benefit from ultra-thin DSAEK on a routine basis.

Eye surgeons, more especially anterior segment/corneal surgeons

Speakers will present their techniques to perform Ultra-Thin DSAEK graft preparation & insertion:

• David Touboul, MD, PhD (Bordeaux, France)- Moderator: brief overview of endothelial keratoplasty: from PLEK to DSAEK to Ultra-Thin DSAEK

• Vito Romano, MD, PhD (Liverpool, UK): Ultra-Thin DSAEK using an innovative artificial anterior chamber pressuriser: a proof-of-concept study

• Louis Hoffart, MD, PhD (Marseille, France): My first 200 ultra-thin DSAEK cases with OUP & ACP

• David Touboul, MD, PhD (Bordeaux, France) : DMSEAK: from Ultrathin to Extrathin DSAEK

• Vincenzo Scorcia, MD, PhD (Catanzaro, Italy): Why my preference goes to Pr Busin’s insertion technique