Purpose: To evaluate the results of posterior lamellar keratoplasties (DMEK and PDEK) in phakic eyes.
Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of surgeries performed in our department between June 2016 and December 2019. The main focus was put on postoperative visual acuity, corneal endothelial cell density and possible peroperative and postoperative complications including cataract formation.
Results: We performed 12 surgeries on 11 eyes of 7 patients. The most prevalent primary diagnosis was Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (7 eyes), followed by bullous keratopathy after phakic anterior chamber IOL implantation (2 eyes) and ICE syndrome (2 eyes). The average length of follow-up was 12.5 months. Clinically significant complicated cataract had developed and was removed in 3 eyes, one eye required rebubbling due to graft detachment and one eye required rePDEK due to graft failure. At the end of follow-up, the average visual acuity was 0.87, while 82% of eyes achieved VA 0.8 or better, and the average endothelial cell density was 1589 cells/mm2.
Conclusion: Posterior lamellar keratoplasties (DMEK and PDEK) can be performed on phakic eyes. When performed by an experienced surgeon, these are safe procedures with good postoperative results and significant advantage in preserving younger patients’ accommodation.