Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Graft Preparation for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To describe a technique of using a femtosecond laser to assist with graft preparation for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

METHODS: A femtosecond laser was used to assist in graft preparation for 3 DMEK procedures. The donor cornea is mounted on a proprietary artificial anterior chamber. A partial thickness deep circular cut is made with the femtosecond laser through the endothelium, Descemet membrane, and posterior stroma. Graft preparation is then completed without the use of a corneal trephine.

RESULTS: In all cases, graft preparation was successfully completed. Pterygium on a donor cornea resulted in an incomplete cut in 1 case that was finished manually. Subsequent keratoplasties resulted in clear corneas with endothelial cell counts within the expected range.

CONCLUSIONS: The femtosecond laser may be a useful adjunct in graft preparation for DMEK.