Role of descemet's stripping without keratoplasty in management of endothelial disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize recent literature on Descemet's stripping only (DSO) in management of endothelial disease with particular focus on Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).

RECENT FINDINGS: DSO is currently indicated in patients with early FECD, central guttae, and preserved peripheral corneal endothelial cell (CEC) count. Time to corneal clearance may be accelerated and maintained with addition of topical rho-kinase inhibitor (ROCKi). There are reports describing successful use of DSO to treat endothelial disease due to iatrogenic trauma. In patients with transcription factor 4 gene mutation, increased cytosine, thymine, guanine (CTG) triplet repeat load may be associated with DSO failure risk. Emerging pharmacotherapies and cell-suspension treatments may improve procedure effectiveness and expand clinical indications.

SUMMARY: DSO can be used as the initial surgical treatment in management of symptomatic endothelial disease due to FECD where peripheral CEC function appears preserved. Stand-alone DSO or DSO combined with cataract surgery is effective and postoperative topical ROCKi supplementation will improve time to corneal clearance and CEC count.