Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty for corneal decompensation caused by herpes simplex virus endotheliitis

Abstract

We report a case of corneal decompensation caused by recurrent herpetic endotheliitis that was treated successfully with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). A 62-year-old woman presented with a history of recurrent herpetic infections in the right cornea. After topical and systemic treatment with antivirals and steroids for 5 months, DMEK combined with cataract surgery was performed. Two weeks after DMEK, the corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) in the affected eye was 0.3 (20/60). One year postoperatively, the CDVA was 1.0 (20/20) and the slitlamp biomicroscopy showed no signs of graft rejection or herpetic recurrence. Corneal decompensation caused by herpetic endotheliitis used to be treated exclusively with penetrating keratoplasty. Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty combined with cataract surgery seems to be a favorable surgical option in the treatment of corneal endothelial decompensation after recurrent herpetic endotheliitis.