Late Descemet membrane detachment after uneventful cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To report 5 patients with late Descemet membrane (DM) detachment after uneventful cataract surgery. OBSERVATIONS: After a retrospective chart analysis of consecutive patients that developed DM detachment after uneventful cataract surgery, six eyes of five patients were enrolled. In all cases, patients reported good vision initially after cataract surgery. Within days to months, these patients developed late DM detachment with decreased vision. In one patient, the detachment affected both eyes. Filtered air or diluted sulfur hexafluoride were injected in the anterior chamber to tamponade the DM detachment. In five eyes, the cornea cleared after DM reattachment. In two eyes of the same patient, DM reattached spontaneously requiring no further surgical intervention. In one patient, the Descemet failed to reattach and required an endothelial keratoplasty. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: Descemet membrane detachment may occur after uneventful cataract surgery. Filtered air or long-lasting intraocular gas may be used to reattach DM. Spontaneous DM reattachment may also occur and surgeons should be aware of this to avoid unnecessary procedures.