Outcomes of Repeat Descemetopexy in Post Cataract Surgery Descemet Membrane Detachment – Accepted Manuscript

Abstract: Purpose: To assess the outcomes of repeat descemetopexy in post cataract surgery Descemet membrane detachmentDesign: Retrospective interventional case seriesMethods: Multicenter, institutional study done between January 2007 and July 2013 included 13 eyes of 13 patients who underwent repeat descemetopexy after a failed initial procedure in post cataract surgery Descemet membrane detachment. Patients without a minimum follow-up of 1 month were excluded. They underwent repeat descemetopexy with either 100% air or iso-expansile mixture of 14% C3F8. At 1 month, final status of Descemet membrane, final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and incidence of the post-surgical complications was noted.Results: Mean age was 63.7+6.6 years; M:F-8:5. Descemet membrane detachment involved the visual axis in all cases. Mean interval between 2 interventions was 5.1+3.1 days. Same gas was used in 9/13 cases (air-4; C3F8-5). Air was used earlier and C3F8 later in 4 cases. At 1 month, 12/13 cases had an attached Descemet membrane, mean logMAR BCVA improved (p=0.0036). One case developed post-operative pupillary block and one case required endothelial transplantation.Conclusion: Repeat descemetopexy for post-cataract surgery Descemet membrane detachment gives good anatomical and visual results and is definitely a worthy attempt before a complex surgical procedure like keratoplasty is offered.