Changes in Corneal Densitometry in Patients with Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy after Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to quantify corneal densitometry in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED) after endothelial keratoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts and anterior segment data of patients with FED before and after endothelial keratoplasty. Patients were examined using the Scheimpflug-based Oculus Pentacam corneal densitometry module. Densitometry parameters in different corneal layers and in different annuli were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS: 27 eyes of 27 patients after endothelial keratoplasty (11 DSAEK, 16 DMEK) were included. After endothelial keratoplasty the total corneal light backscatter at total corneal thickness in the central cornea (0-2 mm annulus) was significantly lower than before (DSAEK: p = 0.026, DMEK: p = 0.001). In the entire group the total corneal light backscatter at total corneal thickness and at total diameter before surgery correlated with the postoperative values (Pearson correlation = 0.49, p = 0.01). The strongest correlation was found in the central layer in the DMEK group (Pearson correlation = 0.79, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Corneal densitometry is a useful, objective method for quantification of the outcome of posterior lamellar keratoplasty irrespective of visual acuity. There is a significant correlation between preoperative and postoperative corneal light backscatter values after endothelial keratoplasty, especially in the case of the DMEK procedure.