Novel anterior keratoplasty approach supports healing in refractory ocular surface disease

A novel anterior keratoplasty technique using a decellularized Descemet membrane allograft achieved high rates of epithelial healing and graft retention in patients with nonhealing ocular surface disease, according to U.S. surgeon-reported outcomes.

This retrospective review included 99 Descemet membrane anterior keratoplasty (DMAK) cases using BrightMEM (Brightstar Therapeutics) performed by 15 surgeons over 3 years. Complete epithelialization occurred in 84.8% of cases, with a median healing time of 28 days. Healing rates were 89.4% in limbal stem cell deficiency, 78.0% in persistent epithelial defects, and 79.5% in neurotrophic keratopathy.

Graft retention was 91.9%. Among patients with more than 6 months of follow-up, 97.1% achieved complete healing. Pain improved or resolved in all affected patients, with mean scores decreasing from 5.47 to 0.84. Visual acuity improved in 52.6% of cases, and no graft-related infections were reported.

Reference

Hou JH, Tauber J, Shukla R. Descemet Membrane Anterior Keratoplasty With BrightMEM Corneal Allograft: An Innovative Technique for Treatment of Nonhealing Diseases of the Ocular Surface. Cornea. 2026;doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000004142. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41925731.