Study of Descemet Membrane Polishing Before Corneal Transplant in Adults with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy

What this Trial Is About

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy FECD is a leading reason for corneal transplantation worldwide. It causes guttae buildup and loss of corneal endothelial cells, resulting in corneal swelling and vision problems. Researchers are evaluating whether removing the damaged endothelial layer before injecting healthy cultured cells improves cell attachment and treatment outcomes, as current clinical data are limited and sometimes conflicting, especially regarding a procedure called endothelial polishing. The study involves a procedure called Fuchs polishing, where one half of the damaged endothelium is polished away before being replaced with healthy donor cells during corneal transplantation. This approach aims to assess the effectiveness of polishing in removing guttae and supporting the survival of injected cells. The excised tissue will be analyzed in the laboratory to understand the changes. Participants will have one follow-up visit on the day of surgery. Researchers will measure how guttae numbers and height progress after surgery, comparing areas treated with and without polishing. They will also assess the removal of corneal endothelial cells. This study is led by the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne and involves monitoring outcomes at one month after surgery.

Effect of Descemet Membrane Polishing in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy