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Purpose: To examine clinical results up to 10 years after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) and Triple-DMEK., Methods: Prospective study including 201 eyes, of which 54 eyes [38 DMEKs and 16 Triple-DMEKs; Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (n = 45), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (n = 9)] reached the minimum follow-up of 5 years and were followed up for up to 10 years. We evaluated best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]), endothelial cell density (ECD, cells/mm2), minimal central corneal thickness (CCT, μm), central retinal thickness (μm), rebubbling, graft survival and re-DMEK rate, chamber angle alterations, and incidence of glaucoma., Results: Fifty-four eyes had a 5-year and 37 eyes an 8- to 10-year follow-up. Mean follow-up was 94.4 ± 12.1 months. Best-corrected visual acuity increased from 0.6 ± 0.3 logMAR to 0.1 ± 0.2 logMAR at 6 months (P ≤ 0.001) and was 539 ± 54 μm at long term. Endothelial cell density decreased from 2488 ± 320.9 (donor) to 980.1 ± 437 cells/mm2 with an average ECD loss/year of 4% and did not correlate with BCVA. Central corneal thickness decreased from 596.9 ± 82.2 μm to 498.6 ± 24.3 μm at 12 months (P ≤ 0.001) and remained stable (P = 1.000). Mean rebubbling rate was 0.3 ± 0.5/eye and did not correlate with BCVA. Eight eyes (14.8%) received at least 1 rebubbling. Primary graft failure/rejection rate was 1.5%/0% within the first postoperative year, and secondary graft failure rate was 12.4% at 7 years. Eight eyes (preoperative n = 3, de novo n = 5) had open-angle glaucoma without chamber angle changes (14.8%, P ≤ 0.001)., Conclusions: Although ECD decreases continuously in the long-term follow-up, excellent visual acuity can be preserved 10 years after DMEK and Triple-DMEK. The final outcome can be estimated 6 months after surgery., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) accounts for >50% of all corneal transplants in Germany. So far, no data from such a large multicenter study have been published., Methods: This retrospective study included 3200 DMEKs at seven departments performed for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) or bullous keratopathy (BK). We evaluated best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), endothelial cell density (ECD, cells/mm 2 ), minimal corneal thickness (CT, μm), rebubbling-, primary transplant failure- and immune reaction-rate. Changes over time were evaluated by linear mixed models for repeated measures and correlation with case number by center by weighted linear regression., Results: For patients without vision-limiting comorbidities (74% of all analysed eyes, n = 2270), mean BCVA improved from 0.6 ± 0.4 logMAR to 0.2 ± 0.2 logMAR 6 months (p < 0.001, n = 1441) and 0.1 ± 0.2 logMAR 12 months (p = 0.001, n = 1402) postoperatively. BK- had a worse BCVA compared to FECD-patients (0.3 ± 0.5 vs. 0.1 ± 0.2 logMAR [p < 0.001] at 1 year). ECD declined from 2465 ± 259 cells/mm 2 (n = 2876 preoperatively) to 1587 ± 433 cells/mm 2 after 12 months (p < 0.001, n = 1237). Mean rebubbling rate was 0.4 ± 0.7/eye. 784 eyes (25%) received at least one rebubbling. More rebubblings correlated with a lower ECD, a worse BCVA, a higher CT, and higher transplant failure and rejection rates (p < 0.001, p = 0.013 for BCVA at 12 months). A single rebubbling did not influence the BCVA (p = 0.785). Graft failure rate was 3% (n = 67), rejection rate 1.5% (n = 48)., Conclusion: Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty increases visual acuity with low transplant failure- and rejection-rates. FECD has a better outcome than BK. Since a quarter of all patients need a rebubbling, this should be included in the informed consent. Remarkably, one rebubbling has no influence on the outcome., (© 2022 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

Purpose: Corneal Crosslinking (CXL) strengthens the keratoconus cornea and prevents further disease progression. Modified crosslinking protocols and different riboflavin solutions have been proposed to optimize the procedure and improve treatment success., Methods: PubMed research of relevant publications and report of own experiences with different CXL protocols., Results: Accelerated CXL shows comparable efficiency with shorter surgery time and similar complication rates. Customized CXL provides improved results with faster epithelial healing. CXL in a hyperoxic environment seems to be a safe and effective transepithelial alternative with presumably less complications and fewer side effects. Thin corneas (<400 µm) can be treated safely by corneal swelling using hypoosmolar riboflavin solutions and reducing the applied UV-energy. The combination of CXL with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) can be considered in patients with contact lens intolerance improving visual acuity, however, with increased risk of visual loss compared to CXL alone. Two-Photon (2Ph) CXL is a promising new technology enabling three-dimensional CXL., Discussion: Recently developed CXL protocols offer advantages over the standard "Dresden-protocol" and should be considered in patients with progressive keratectasia.

Background: Corneal crosslinking (CXL) is used in keratoconus to strengthen and stabilize the cornea and to prevent further progression with subsequent visual loss and the possible need for keratoplasty. Correct treatment indications is crucial in this context. Since the introduction of the initial Dresden protocol, other modified CXL protocols have been proposed to optimize treatment success., Objective: The relevant parameters for treatment indications are explained and the clinical results of new CXL protocols are presented., Methods: The currently valid criteria with respect to the indications for CXL in keratoconus, PubMed search for relevant publications and own experiences with different CXL protocols are presented., Results: The reproducibility of topographic parameters depends on the stage of the keratoconus. Accelerated CXL as well as transepithelial CXL with a hyperoxic environment show comparable efficiency with shorter surgery time and possibly lower complication rates. Customized CXL with an individualized UV irradiation profile provides improved results with faster epithelial healing. Lower UV energy doses enable CXL to be conducted in eyes with minimal stromal pachymetry of less than 400 µm before irradiation. The combination of CXL with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) provides visual acuity improvements but also increases the risk of visual loss., Conclusion: Current indication rules for CXL neglect the reduced reproducability of topographic and tomographic measurements in keratoconus. The latest CXL protocols presented here provide a safe alternative with similar and/or better efficacy compared to standard CXL. The combination of CXL with PRK offers an option for visual rehabilitation in patients with contact lens intolerance., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)