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Toric IOL in Combined DMEK and Cataract Surgery

Authors Trindade BLC , Garcia JC , Nogueira LR

Received 12 January 2021

Accepted for publication 25 March 2021

Published 13 April 2021 Volume 2021:15 Pages 1511—1516

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S293086

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3

Editor who approved publication: Dr Scott Fraser



Bruno Lovaglio Cancado Trindade,1– 3 Julia Costa Garcia,2 Laila Rahme Nogueira2

1Cançado Trindade Eye Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; 2Medical Science School of Medicine - FELUMA, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; 3Cornea Department, Medical Sciences University Hospital Eye Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Correspondence: Bruno Lovaglio Cancado Trindade Rua Manaus, 595, São Lucas, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30.150-350, Brazil
Tel +55 31 3241 5544
Email [email protected]

Introduction: Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is the current gold standard surgical procedure to treat Fuchs endothelial keratoplasty. Cataract removal and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation can be safely combined with this corneal procedure. This paper presents a case series in which a toric intraocular lens (IOL) was used in combined DMEK and cataract surgery to correct corneal astigmatism.
Methods: Four eyes that had a toric IOL implanted in combined cataract and DMEK surgery were included.
Results: There was a reduction in manifest refractive cylinder and improvement in uncorrected and best-corrected vision in all cases.
Discussion: Surgeons may consider the use of toric IOLs in selected cases of combined DMEK and cataract surgery for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy.

Keywords: Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, DMEK, Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, toric intraocular lens, astigmatism, triple procedure

Introduction

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) has been recently considered as the best surgical treatment for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED).1 DMEK allows a faster recovery, a better visual outcome and lower rates of graft rejection when compared to Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK).

When combining cataract surgery with endothelial keratoplasty, the anterior corneal surface remains more or less intact facilitating corneal power estimation. Nevertheless, DSAEK grafts can alter the posterior corneal profile altering total corneal power calculation. When using DMEK grafts, the posterior corneal surface is essentially restored to a normal shape resulting in a more predictable postoperative corneal power enabling more precise IOL power calculation.

DMEK triple surgery has been recently associated with the implantation of a toric intraocular lens (IOL), and even multifocal lenses.2 This is a paradigm shift in the way combined cataract surgery and corneal transplantation are performed. Preoperative corneal power and astigmatism measurement are critical when considering the use of toric or multifocal IOLs. Moreover, the lack of induced posterior corneal aberrations with DMEK may give surgeons the possibility to use premium implants in these combined procedures.3

Toric IOLs are designed to correct regular and symmetric corneal astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. Many publications have shown their safety and effectiveness to treat corneal astigmatism of up to 6D. These lenses can improve uncorrected vision in a significant number of patients. However, proper IOL alignment is mandatory and the rotation of even one degree may reduce the effective cylindrical correction of up to 3%.4 Thus, careful preoperative planning and meticulous surgical alignment are required to achieve an ideal outcome. This may be challenging in some more advanced forms of FED when the corneal edema may alter the corneal transparency and keratometry.5

This study presents cases of DMEK triple procedure in which a toric IOL was used. We describe our findings as well as compare them to the published results of other groups. We also discuss the required adjustments and considerations of this approach.

Methods

This is a retrospective study in which four eyes of three consecutive patients with mild to moderate Fuchs endothelial dystrophy that were submitted to DMEK triple surgery using a toric IOL were included. Surgeries were performed between August 2018 and November 2019 at a private clinic. The study followed the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and approval by the Institutional Review Board/Ethics Committee at FELUMA-MG was obtained (4.611.482). Written informed consent for publication of their details was obtained from all the patients.

All patients had a complete preoperative ophthalmological exam that included uncorrected and best-corrected distance and near visual acuity, subjective refraction, biomicroscopy, fundoscopy and tonometry. Central corneal thickness was assessed with a high-frequency ultrasound pachymetry (DGH-500 Pachete, DGH Technology). Corneal tomography was performed using a Scheimpflug corneal tomography (Pentacam HR, Oculus, Germany) and showed an orthogonal corneal astigmatism of over 1.5D in all patients. Ocular biometry was performed using the Lenstar 900 (Haag-Streit, Switzerland) and IOL power calculation was performed using the Barrett true-k formula (found online at www.apacrs.org). Central endothelial cell count was performed using a non-contact specular microscope (CEM-530, Nidek, Japan). All patients had an inferior peripheral iridotomy performed with the nd:YAG laser preoperatively to avoid pupillary block by the air bubble after surgery. After surgery, patients were assessed in their scheduled follow-up visits by a similar complete ophthalmic examination. A dilated exam was performed three months after surgery to assess proper meridional orientation of the IOL.

All patients were operated by the same experienced surgeon (BLCT). Donors were selected having 50 years old or more to facilitate unfolding with an endothelial cell count of over 2200 cells/mm2. The DMEK graft was prepared at the time of surgery by the surgeon using a standard SCUBA technique and marked with an asymmetric “F” stamp to ensure proper graft orientation once inside the eye.6,7 Graft diameter varied between 8 and 8.50 mm. After a 2.2mm temporal clear corneal incision was performed and the anterior chamber filled with cohesive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) a manual curvilinear capsulorhexis was performed aiming a diameter of 4.8–5.0mm. OVD use was limited to cohesive only (Healon, J&J, Milpitas, USA) to facilitate aspiration before graft insertion, avoiding any interface deposits. Phacoemulsification was performed using the surgeons' preferred technique. After complete cortex removal, toric IOL implantation in the capsular bag (SN6ATx Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA) was followed by proper meridian alignment and meticulous aspiration of OVD under the IOL (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Toric IOL being aligned after implantation.

Descemetorhexis was then performed under cohesive OVD in the anterior chamber and a dilated pupil with the red reflex helping visualization of the membrane tear. The size of Descemet removal was 0.25mm larger than the intended DMEK graft. Two sideports were created to facilitate graft maneuvering during unfolding. Acetylcholine 10mg/mL was injected in the anterior chamber to promote miosis and OVD was completely removed using the I/A handpiece. The donor Descemet roll was stained with 0.1% trypan blue and inserted in the anterior chamber using a glass cartridge (Geuder, Germany). After the tissue was injected, it was completely opened and centralized in the cornea with the proper orientation verified by the asymmetric “F”-stamp. After that, a complete air fill was used to fixate the graft in place with intraocular pressure kept at high levels (around 40mmHg) for 10 minutes. After that, some air was released and BSS was injected in the anterior chamber to decrease the air bubble size to around 90%. Surgery was then terminated and the patient was discharged home two hours later after confirmation that the air bubble level was above the patent inferior peripheral iridotomy.

Visual acuity was recorded in all visits and converted from decimal values to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) using the following formula:8

Astigmatism was analyzed adhering to the terminology and graphical representations proposed by Abulafia et al.9

All continuous variables are reported using mean ± standard deviation. Since this is a small series of cases, no statistical tests were performed.

Results

A total of 4 eyes of 3 patients (age 61 to 78) with mild to moderate Fuchs endothelial dystrophy with an orthogonal corneal astigmatism of over 1.5D was included in our study. Postoperative follow-up varied between 6 and 12 months. Mean preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA) and near visual acuity (UCNVA) was LogMAR 0.73 ± 0.19 and 0.87 ± 0.91, respectively. Preoperative mean best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) was LogMAR 0.60 ± 0.46. Axial length varied between 22.33 and 22.99 mm (mean 22.56 ± 0.29 mm). Mean preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) was 649 ± 11 µm. Central endothelial cell density was uncountable in all patients preoperatively. Graft endothelial cell density was 2365 ± 543 cells/mm2 as informed by the eye bank.

IOL model SN6ATx was used in all eyes. IOL power varied from 23.5 to 24.5 D (mean 24.13 ± 0.48 D). The IOL cylindrical power at the corneal plane ranged from 1.55 to 2.57 D (mean 1.93 ± 0.49 D). Preoperative corneal astigmatism centroid was 1.72 D @ 2º ± 1.78 D. Six months after surgery, postoperative mean UCDVA improved to LogMAR 0.12 ± 0.04, refractive astigmatism centroid at corneal plane was 0.09 D @ 125º ± 0.53 D, and mean central endothelial cell count was 1604 ± 236 cell/mm2.

Figure 2 shows the changes in astigmatism double angle plots before and after surgery.

Figure 2 Astigmatism change after surgery.

Figure 3 shows corneal topography differential map before and after surgery of all 4 cases.

Figure 3 (AD) Corneal topography differential map between before and after surgery of all 4 cases. Note the minimal change in the anterior astigmatism magnitude and orientation.

No intraoperative complications were noted in any surgery. No relevant IOL rotation was noted in any patient after surgery. In one eye, graft rebbuble was required and successfully performed 6 days after surgery due to significant graft detachment. All the other eyes had no relevant postoperative complications.

Discussion

The introduction of endothelial keratoplasty has changed the way we approach corneal endothelial diseases. With DMEK being a perfect anatomical replacement of the diseased endothelium, the refractive changes induced by the procedure are minimal or absent. This has improved the way we can combine this surgery with cataract extraction. Since the cornea after transplantation behaves almost like a normal cornea, premium IOLs can be considered even in combined surgeries. Toric IOLs have been increasingly considered as a choice of implant for their ability to bring formidable visual acuity in the presence of astigmatism and they can be potentially used in this setting. This is a significant change in the way we approach these patients.

The combined DMEK and cataract surgery with IOL implantation (triple procedure) has already proved to be an advantageous procedure, promoting a faster visual recovery, decreasing risks of graft rejection and reducing risks of additional endothelial damage.6

We report four cases of DMEK triple procedure in which a toric IOL was used. In all cases, there was a significant improvement in vision in all patients after surgery. The reduction shown in postoperative refractive astigmatism centroid value shows that this approach is valid. However, results may be worse than the ones using a toric IOL in a standard cataract surgery. IOL power calculation was performed using the Barrett true-K formula (available online at www.apacrs.org) aiming for a slight myopic error (−0.50 D sph).

The fact that, in all cases, we operated on less severe forms of FED might have contributed to the good results achieved. In initial stages of FED or in cases in which data preceding stromal edema is available, the IOL power calculation can be more reliably performed. Our series shows slightly better results than the ones published by Yokogawa et al2 with all patients achieving 20/30 uncorrected vision or better, 6 months after surgery. Hayashi et al have shown inferior optical corneal quality after DMEK with higher higher-order aberrations that may be caused by relative graft decentration although, in this study, most of the patients had pseudophakic bullous keratopathy rather the FED.10 Changes in corneal astigmatism and total corneal power after DMEK for FED have been shown to be minimal.1 However, these changes can be more pronounced in cases of long-standing disease. A thicker preoperative cornea is expected to have a higher hyperopic change after the procedure.11 Additionally, there may be some subepithelial fibrosis in these long-standing cases responsible for some irregular astigmatism. Moreover, Shajari et al have shown that in patients with a higher difference in astigmatism between the 3 and 5mm zones may have a decrease of this astigmatism after DMEK and this should be taken into consideration in cases of triple surgeries.12

Toric IOL rotation may be a concern when combining cataract with DMEK surgery since anterior chamber shallowing and tapping maneuvers might cause lens misalignment. In this small series, no significant IOL rotation was noted in any patient and we believe that the combination of thorough OVD removal behind the implant together with the tackiness of the lens material prevented any shift in the meridional orientation of the lens.13

Even though DMEK allows an excellent refractive result predictability, particularly when compared to the penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and DSAEK techniques,14 it is assumed that there can be changes in corneal refractive power after this procedure.

An overall reduction of total corneal power after DMEK has been reported.15 Arnalich-Montiel et al found that 46 eyes that underwent DMEK had their mean central keratometry almost 1 D flatter than controls.5

These changes are due to corneal thinning and changes in anterior and posterior corneal surfaces which can lead to a hyperopic shift. As mentioned, it was found that more decompensated corneas are expected to have a more intense hyperopic shift after DMEK, which can be expected in individuals with more advanced stages of the disease.16 This way, eventual changes in the Gulstrand ratio must be considered in order to compensate for the corneal power change during IOL power calculation especially in cases in which a premium IOL is being planned.

On the other hand, Gupta et al reported that 47 eyes with FED that had at least 1.0 D of anterior corneal astigmatism who underwent DMEK or triple DMEK procedure showed no significant difference in the magnitude of anterior astigmatism before and after the procedure.17 There is also a concern about modification of the orientation of the posterior corneal astigmatism after DMEK; however, the change of its magnitude and orientation may or may not be significant.18

IOL power calculation can be challenging, notably when cataract surgery is combined with any corneal procedure.19 This is especially critical with premium IOLs that have a lower tolerance to residual refractive errors. Even small amounts of residual spherical and/or cylindrical errors may compromise vision when a premium IOL is used. When considering these lenses in combined corneal surgeries, the patient must be informed about the unpredictability of IOL power calculation and possible need to further postoperative adjustments.

In this study, we demonstrated that in cases of mild to moderate FED associated with corneal astigmatism, astigmatism-correcting IOLs are an option in cataract surgery combined with DMEK. This is a paradigm shift in the way we plan for these combined surgeries. Despite several factors involved in predicting changes in corneal power and astigmatism after DMEK, it is possible to obtain a satisfactory refractive result in these cases given that the preoperative corneal measurements are reliable and the data are reproducible.

The relative small number of patients in this series prevents us to further assess the safety and efficacy of this approach and further studies are still required to validate the use of these implants in this setting.

Conclusion

The use of toric IOL in combined cataract and DMEK surgery may provide good uncorrected visual acuity and reduced postoperative refractive astigmatism in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Postoperative corneal astigmatism may not be as predictable as in patients undergoing cataract surgery alone.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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