Klinische resultaten

Our medical team is developing, researching and refining various treatment options for cornea disorder in close collaboration with NIIOS R&D and Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam. The clinical results can be found in national and international medical research journals, and they are being presented at national and international ophthalmology congresses. 

You can read about several clinical results for (advanced) DMEK (Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty), including for treating Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and bullous keratopathy and Bowman layer transplants for keratoconus. 

Quick vision recovery in DMEK

DMEK results in quicker vision recovery than DSEK (Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty) or a full cornea transplant (PKP):

• Within a month after a DMEK operation, more than 80% of eyes regain a vision of 0.5 or more, approximately 50% regain a vision of 0.8 or more, and about 20% of eyes operated on regain full vision.
• Six months after DMEK, 75% of eyes operated on have regained vision of 0.8 or higher, and over 40% of eyes regain 100% vision.

Reduced risk of donor tissue rejection

In addition to quicker vision recovery, DMEK offers lower transplant rejection rates than DSEK and penetrating keratoplasty.

• 3 to 4% of patients develop rejection symptoms following a DMEK operation. This is a considerable difference of 10 to 15% for full cornea transplants and 5 to 10% for DSEK procedures. Rejection symptoms can easily be treated using eye drops, but 25 to 30% of patients with rejection symptoms will require a retransplant.

Hardly any long-term complications have been recorded following DMEK. Complications like permanently impaired vision or long-term glaucoma are much less frequent than following DSEK or PKP. In approximately 13% of eyes, the transplant does not sufficiently bond following DMEK surgery. In some cases, additional treatment is required. The surgical insertion of a bubble behind the donor tissue allows the transplant to bond.

The results of Bowman layer transplants for advanced, progressive keratoconus

• Generally speaking, the keratoconus stabilises following a Bowman layer transplant, and no further progression will occur.
• The corneal curvature is flattened, which means that wearing contact lenses becomes more comfortable
• The stabilisation of the keratoconus and the flattening means more invasive cornea transplants like DALK or PKP can be postponed or prevented