What Is DSEK?
Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) is a partial-thickness corneal transplant. Rather than replacing the entire cornea, it replaces only the damaged inner layer — the endothelium — whose cells pump fluid out of the cornea to keep it clear.
When endothelial cells fail, the cornea swells and becomes cloudy. DSEK restores that pumping layer with healthy donor tissue, often with faster healing and a stronger eye than a traditional full-thickness transplant.
Conditions DSEK Treats
- Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy
- Corneal swelling (edema) after previous eye surgery
- Failure of a previous corneal transplant
- Other conditions that damage the corneal endothelium
What to Expect
Before
Your cornea specialist will examine your eye, measure the health of your corneal layers and explain how DSEK can help your vision.
During
Through a small incision, the diseased layer is removed and a thin disc of donor tissue is placed inside the eye and held in position by a small air bubble. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
After
You’ll be asked to lie on your back for a period of time so the air bubble keeps the graft in place. Vision improves gradually over weeks to months as the cornea clears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is DSEK different from a full corneal transplant?
DSEK replaces only the inner layer of the cornea through a small incision, so there are fewer stitches, a lower risk of graft rejection and typically a faster visual recovery than a full-thickness transplant.
Will I need glasses after DSEK?
Many patients still use glasses or contacts for their sharpest vision after DSEK, but the procedure usually changes the eye’s prescription very little.