Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography-Assisted Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: Toward More Efficient, Safer Surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical value of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) and prolonged overpressure in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty for surgical safety, efficiency, and outcome. METHODS: All Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasties performed by the same surgeon from November 2016 through April 2018 at the University Medical Center Utrecht were included, including 6 months of follow-up. The primary outcome was the prevalence of adverse events, and the secondary outcomes included critical decision-making and surgery time. Surgeries that included prolonged (ca. 12 minutes) overpressurization of the globe were classified as group 1, and those without prolonged overpressurization of the globe were classified as group 2. In all cases, iOCT was used to determine the graft orientation, apposition, and assessment of interface fluid. RESULTS: A total of 38 cases were included for analysis. In groups 1 and 2, 7 (43.6%) and 4 (18.1%) adverse events, respectively, were recorded (P = 0.29). Specifically, in groups 1 and 2, 4 and 3 cases, respectively, required rebubbling because of graft dislocation (P = 0.15). In 43% of surgeries, iOCT proved to be of value for surgical decision-making. Surgery time differed significantly between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.001) and was the result of a shortened pressurization time in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: iOCT provides a direct assessment of the graft orientation and apposition, allowing the surgeon to refrain from prolonged pressurization of the globe after graft insertion. Optimizing the surgical protocol using iOCT can lead to a significant reduction in surgery time without compromising surgical safety or outcome.