DSEK Surgery

DSEK is the latest technique in corneal transplantation. Short for Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty, DSEK offers clear post-operative vision and short recovery time to patients in need of new corneas.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes a mark in the surface of the patient’s cornea with a trephine (an instrument used to cut circular sections of tissue). This mark serves two purposes: it helps the surgeon determine what size the transplant should be, and also it outlines the area of the patient’s cornea that needs to be removed. Next, the surgeon scores the damaged section of the cornea and removes the membrane away from the eye. Then the donor cornea is folded into a “taco” shape and placed on the eye. A single stitch closes the incision.

Sometimes the new cornea unfolds on its own; other times, the surgeon unfolds it him/herself. When it is unfolded, a second stitch is made to close the wound and anchor the new cornea in place. The surgeon then injects an air bubble underneath the cornea, making sure it is centered on the eye, and dilates the pupil with eye drops.