Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK)
In DSEK, Dr. Martinez a Fellowship Cornea Specialist and Surgeon uses special instruments to enter the eye through a less than 1/4 inch incision in the front clear part of the eye (cornea). The back portion of the cornea is then painlessly stripped away and replaced by a similar piece of healthy graft tissue from a cadaver donor. Although only a small piece of cornea is actually replaced, the graft will help keep the entire cornea clear.
DSEK has several advantages over conventional transplant surgery:
- No stitches are placed in the cornea. In clinical studies, this has resulted in significantly less astigmatism after surgery and faster recovery of vision.
- In general, fewer follow-up exams are necessary because there are no corneal stitches to be removed. Ongoing studies are also examining whether corneal transplant rejection is less likely with DSEK than conventional transplants.
Like conventional transplantation, DSEK surgery is covered by most major insurance carriers, including Medicare. DSEK is not appropriate for all patients with corneal disease.
At Visionary Ophthalmology, Dr. Martinez has performed many of these procedures. Dr. Martinez will determined weather or not you are a candidate for this procedure and will explain the risks, benefits and likelihood of success in your particular situation.
