Long-term Outcomes of Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty: Ten-Year Graft Survival and Endothelial Cell Loss

PURPOSE: To determine 10-year outcomes for graft and endothelial cell survival after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK), including risk factors for graft failure. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study. METHODS: Three hundred fifty-six consecutive DSEK grafts performed by 10 surgeons using a standardized protocol were analyzed. Primary outcomes were cumulative graft survival and percentage endothelial cell loss (ECL) from 6 months to 10 years; secondary outcomes included risk factors for graft failure, postoperative complications, visual outcomes, and central corneal thickness. RESULTS: Indications include Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (n = 209), bullous keratopathy (n = 88), and previous graft failure (n = 39). One hundred and four eyes (29%) had preoperative glaucoma. Cumulative graft survival rates of all eyes at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 97%, 90%, 85%, and 79%, respectively. Ten-year graft survival for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy was 92%. Mean +/- SD percentage ECL of all grafts was 46.6% +/- 17.3% at year 1, 54.9% +/- 18.7% at year 3, 59.6% +/- 17.4% at year 5, and 73.1% +/- 9.7% at year 10. Cox regression identified preoperative glaucoma (hazard ratio [HR]: 8.41; 95% CI, 1.30-54.5; P = .026), including previous glaucoma surgery (HR: 3.63; 95% CI: 1.03-12.74; P = .04) and regrafts (HR: 5.29; 95% CI: 2.02-13.89; P = .001) as significant risk factors for graft failure. CONCLUSIONS: At 10 years, DSEK survival rate was 79% for all eyes, including complex grafts, and ECL was 73%. For Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, 10-year graft survival rate was 92%. Despite a mean 10-year endothelial cell count of only 692 cells/mm(2), graft survival remained high with good vision. DSEK continues to be a viable treatment option, especially in complex eyes with comorbidity. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Automated summary

The 10-year DSEK survival rate was 79% for all eyes, and 92% for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Preoperative glaucoma, previous glaucoma surgery, and regrafts were significant risk factors for graft failure.