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Philadelphia Revolutionary DSAEK Corneal Transplant

Patients that have suffered trauma to the endothelial layer of their cornea or have been subject to certain corneal diseases, the cornea, or window to the eye, may become clouded and not allow light to pass through correctly. In certain instances Dr. Siepser, or your ophthalmologist, may recommend a corneal transplant to replace your damaged cornea with a healthy donor cornea. Click here to learn more about the eye.

A patient that has had a cataract procedure and an IOL (intra-ocular lens) implanted has a chance of developing corneal edema. Corneal edema is swelling of the eye from a fluid build-up that results in visual disturbances. Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) or aphakic bullous keratopathy (ABK) are two types of corneal edema resulting from cataract extraction. This is another instance where a corneal transplant may be necessary.

Another indication for a recommended corneal transplant is Fuch's Endothelial Dystrophy. Fuch's Endothelial Dystrophy is a fairly common hereditary disorder that causes endothelial cell loss and scarring that results in visual dysfunction including hazy and distorted vision. Fuch's Endothelial Dystrophy typically begins its onset after the age of 50 and is most common in females.

For traditional corneal transplants the preferred method of Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP) is used and involves removing the patient's entire cornea and replacing it with the full thickness of a donor cornea. After a PKP procedure patients may not recover functional vision for several months, evens years.

Dr. Siepser is one of the few surgeons in the world now offering a new type of corneal transplant procedure called DSAEK (Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty). In contrast to a PKP corneal transplant a DSAEK procedure only involves removing a thin layer of the patients corneal and replacing it with a thin layer of a donor cornea. This revolutionary technique results in greatly reduced recovery times, with patients being able to recover functional vision in a matter of weeks as opposed to months or even years.

The DSAEK procedure takes the corneal transplant procedure to a whole new level, but is not yet widely available due to the surgical complexity, training, and dedication involved in executing it successfully.

The DSAEK Procedure

• First Dr. Siepser will apply a topical anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort during the procedure.
• Second Dr. Siepser will prepare the donor cornea for implantation.
• Third Dr. Siepser will remove the damaged portion of the patients cornea using a microkeratome (the same type of instrument used in the LASIK procedure).
• Fourth Dr. Siepser will fold the donor cornea tissue and insert it into the patient's eye and then create an air pocket under it to center the donor tissue.
• Fifth the corneal tissue will unfold on its own or Dr. Siepser will unfold it and then a single stitch will be placed to secure the incision.
• The patient will then be sent to a recovery room for about an hour after which Dr. Siepser will examine the eye to assure everything looks good.
• The patient will be on a regiment of drops for a fewl days following the procedure and will need to return to our office for follow-up examinations.