DSAEK

Until recently, cornea transplant patients at our Texas clinics had few treatment options if they ever wanted to see clearly again.

Now, the corneal transplant method DSAEK provides patients with a less invasive method of restoring their eyesight.

Cornea Associates of Texas in Dallas, TX, provides comfortable endothelial keratoplasty to restore your corneal health.

The New and Improved Cornea Transplant Method

In the past, patients needing a cornea transplant typically had to resort to a full-thickness corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty), a complicated procedure that surgically replaces the entire damaged cornea with a donor cornea.

Now, our Dallas ophthalmology office can benefit from DSAEK (Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty). This procedure is a partial-thickness corneal transplant that leaves the healthy layers of the cornea intact. If you suffer from cataracts, it can often be combined with cataract surgery for even more comprehensive effects.

Benefits of DSAEK

The DSAEK Corneal Transplant Process

This endothelial keratoplasty procedure takes about 45 minutes to an hour and involves several steps:

Our Dallas, TX, team has been performing DSAEK procedures for over a decade. When you choose our ophthalmology practice, you'll be in good hands.

Anesthesia

One of our surgeons will make you comfortable for your procedure. We will administer an anesthetic that blocks sensation and restricts the movement of the eye. IV sedation will also be administered to help you relax and to minimize any anxiety. An anesthetist will monitor you throughout your corneal procedure.

Incision

Your surgeon will make a small incision in the side of the eye.

Removal

The damaged portion at the back inner dome of the cornea (the endothelium and Descemet’s membrane) will be removed.

Transplant

Using instruments adapted from LASIK procedures, your surgeon will prepare the donor endothelium and Descemet’s membrane and place them in your eye. The tissue will be affixed with an air bubble. The transplanted cells will begin pumping fluid out of the cornea, creating a suction that causes them to adhere to the back of your cornea.

Recover

Immediately following the procedure, you will be advised to lie flat on your back as much as possible to allow the air bubble to stabilize the graft. Antibiotics may be recommended to prevent infection and steroids can minimize the chance of rejection.

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We Also Offer DMAEK

Descemet's Membrane Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMAEK) is an even more recent innovation in corneal transplantation. With all of the advantages of its predecessor DSAEK, DMAEK can be done through even smaller incisions and visual recovery time is even faster. Plus, DMAEK has lower rates of transplant rejection (~2%).

Are DSAEK or DMAEK Right for Me? Which Corneal Procedure to Choose

With all of their advantages, DSAEK and DMAEK do have a few limitations. They work best for a specific category of vision problems—those that affect only the back layer of the cornea. Indications include:

Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy
Pseudophakic/Aphakic cornea edema or bullous keratopathy
Endothelial failure after a full-thickness corneal transplant
Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome
Any cause of endothelial dysfunction

Our surgeons serving Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano can determine which corneal procedure will be best for you. For example, if you have a large scar blocking your vision, it will be treated with a full-thickness cornea transplant. If you have a genetic condition that only affects the very back layer of the cornea, our team will perform a transplant of that layer alone.

Our Dallas ophthalmology office has a range of procedures designed to help patients see with clarity once again. With DSAEK and DMAEK, these tailored approaches represent the latest in corneal transplant innovation. Meet with our team to discuss the possibilities.