DMEK is a reliable surgical choice to cure degrading vision and swollen, murky corneas. This is the third and most recent evolution to help those suffering with Fuch’s Corneal Dystrophy and corneal endothelial dysfunction. It has been demonstrated to provide patients the best option to achieve at least 20/25 vision, speedy return to normal activities, and ward off potential vision-threatening rejection. As compared to its predecessors, DMEK is considered the best anatomical restoration procedure because it only requires a single cell layer and a thin membrane to cure cornea irregularities.
DMEK surgery is done as outpatient. To avoid discomfort, a topical anesthesia is applied through eye drops. The damaged layer of the cornea is removed and is replaced by a designated thin layer of new cornea. It is proven to offer a faster enhancement in vision capacity with very low risk of rejection. Its results enable the patient’s cornea to be closer to its original state.
There are several advantages that can be derived out from this technology including:
- Smaller corneal incision
- No effect on the external shape of the cornea
- Ability to pre-operatively manage astigmatism
- Increased accuracy for the ophthalmologist performing the procedure