Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate Schlemm’s canal (SC) parameters using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in eyes undergoing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Design: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Methods: The study included 22 eyes from 22 patients with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, with a mean age of 70 ± 11.4 years. AS-OCT (Triton) scans were performed with the patient fixating nasally; horizontal images were obtained from the temporal limbus to visualize SC. Results: A significant difference was found in visual acuity 1.9 (0.5–2.3) LogMAR vs. 0.5 (0.1–2.3) LogMAR, respectively and central corneal thickness (CCT) 850 (630–950) µm vs. 545 (407–900) µm, respectively before and after DMEK surgery ( P < 0.01 for both). No significant difference was observed in postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) 12 (6–20) mmHg compared to preoperative values 13 (6–18) mmHg ( P = 1.00). There was a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative SC length (SCL) values (249 µm vs. 266.5 µm, respectively; P < 0.001) as well as SC area (SCA) values (4893.5 µm² vs. 5227 µm², respectively) at the third month ( P = 0.001). Changes in CCT and IOP were not significantly correlated with changes in SCA ( P = 0.658 vs. P = 0.460) or SCL ( P = 0.435 vs. P = 0.377). Tamponade with sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) or air did not significantly affect preoperative and postoperative SCA ( P = 0.974 vs. P = 0.821, respectively) and SCL ( P = 0.974 vs. P = 0.792, respectively). Conclusion: AS-OCT imaging revealed postoperative expansion of SC parameters following DMEK, with no detectable adverse impact attributable to the surgical procedure or SF₆ use.
Sozen-Delil et al. (Wed,) studied this question.