Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty and light adjustable lens triple procedure

PURPOSE: The objective of this series is to report the early post-operative visual outcomes of a novel triple procedure utilizing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) plus light adjustable lens (LAL) in two patients (four eyes). METHODS: Two patients with bilateral, visually significant cataracts and Fuchs’ dystrophy were selected for DMEK plus LAL triple procedure. Patient B also exhibited a high amount of preoperative astigmatism. Both patients desired spectacle independence and were initially targeted for monovision with the dominant eye corrected for distance and the nondominant eye corrected for near. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and manifest refraction were recorded at each postoperative appointment and light treatment. RESULTS: In the early post-operative course, Patient A chose to pursue binocular distance correction instead of monovision. This was adjusted for accordingly using the LAL. Following final lock-in, Patient A had a distance UCVA of 20/15 in the right eye (OD) and a distance UCVA of 20/20 in the left eye (OS). Patient B was targeted for monovision. After final lock-in, Patient B had a distance UCVA of 20/15 in the dominant eye (OD) and a near UCVA of Jaeger No. 1+ in the nondominant eye (OS). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: The first reported cases of DMEK plus LAL triple procedures achieved exceptional UCVA at the desired target. The post-operative customizability of the LAL allows for the achievement of excellent refractive outcomes after DMEK, even in patients with significant astigmatism and in patients who change their mind regarding refractive target.