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SUTURELESS CORNEA TRANSPLANTS WITH RAPID VISUAL RECOVERY: A DREAM COME TRUE When the critical inner cell layer of the cornea stops working, the cornea becomes cloudy. Over the past few years, Dr. Francis Price has performed over 100 Deep Lamellar Endothelial Keratoplasty (DLEK) procedures to correct this condition. Dr. Price is now pioneering a new cornea transplant technique that replaces only the damaged cell layer instead of replacing the entire thickness of the cornea. With this new technique, known as Descemet's Stripping with Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK), the cornea heals much faster and stronger and the patient's visual recovery is better. Because this technique leaves a smoother interface and significantly improves the visual results, it has become Dr. Price's preferred method of treatment for Fuchs' Dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. In fact, he no longer recommends standard penetrating keratoplasty for endothelial dysfunction unless there is significant stromal scarring. Posterior graft patients now routinely see 20/60 or better within 3 months of surgery and some 20/20. Dr. Price has performed over 300 of these new DSEK procedures. He dissects the donor cornea at 80-90% depth, folds the posterior portion over like a taco, and places it into the eye through a 5mm scleral tunnel incision. An air bubble is injected (see figure) to push the donor tissue up against the posterior surface of the patient's cornea. The natural pumping action of the endothelial cells quickly creates suction, which bonds the donor tissue to the recipient cornea. Advantages of DSEK as compared to PKP are:
Posterior lamellar grafting with Descemet's stripping offers patients better visual recovery and a less protracted clinical course than standard PKP. It is a great alternative for younger, more active patients bothered by glare and blurring from guttata or for the elderly who dread the long and involved postoperative course of standard PKP.
1Price FW Jr., New Techniques for Deep Cornea Transplantation. [Ophthalmic Hyperguide website] April, 2004.
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Journal of Refractive Surgery - Penetrating Keratoplasty has been an essential procedure to restore clear vision to those with cloudy or diseased corneas. 
