How long is recovery from DMEK surgery?

Patients may be able to resume driving and performing light activities within a week after DMEK surgery. Eighty percent of the healing that needs to occur takes place within the first month after treatment. Full recovery is usually complete within four to six months.

How long does a DMEK corneal transplant last?

How long will my transplant last. We watch you closely after surgery to ensure that the attachment process is successful, which can take a few weeks to complete. Once the donor becomes “one” with your cornea, it cannot fall off. Traditional full thickness corneal transplants last about 20 years.

How successful is DMEK surgery?

DMEK surgery is highly successful. If the graft is not fully attached, a small in-office procedure may be needed to place an additional air bubble in the eye. Significant, sight-threatening complications are exceedingly rare.

How long does a DMEK graft last?

DMEK has been shown to have good outcomes at 5 years for conditions such as Fuchs corneal dystrophy and bullous keratopathy,1 and now for failed penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Are you awake during DMEK surgery?

Most of the time, these surgeries are done as outpatient procedures under local anesthesia. This means you’ll be awake but woozy, the area is numb, and you’ll be able to go home the same day. Your doctor will do the entire surgery while looking through a microscope. It typically takes 30 minutes to an hour.

How long do you have to lie flat after corneal transplant?

We will advise you to lie flat on your back, facing the ceiling as much as possible after the surgery for the first 24 hours.

Is DMEK safe?

Conclusions: The evidence reviewed supports DMEK as a safe and effective treatment for endothelial failure. With respect to visual recovery time, visual outcomes, and rejection rates, DMEK seems to be superior to DSEK and to induce less refractive error with similar surgical risks and EC loss compared with DSEK.

How long does air bubble last after DMEK?

The bubble can be seen externally if you look at the eye in the mirror. Once the air is above the level of the pupil, vision will begin to return. The air bubble will typically disappear completely 5-7 days after surgery.

Can I watch TV after corneal transplant?

Contact sports are discouraged after corneal transplant. Otherwise, normal activity can be resumed within a few days. After the first day, shaving, brushing teeth, bathing, light housework, bending over, walking, reading, and watching TV will not hurt the eye.

How long does a DMEK procedure take?

Dr. Berger then places healthy corneal tissue (called a donor disc) inside the eye through a small incision and positions it with a precisely-sized air bubble to hold the disc of donor tissue in place. DMEK usually takes about 30 minutes to complete.