DMEK Versus DSAEK Study (DMEK)
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02793310 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : June 8, 2016
Last Update Posted : March 7, 2019
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy | Procedure: DMEK Procedure: DSAEK | Not Applicable |
FECD is a progressive, multifactorial and irreversible disease characterized by accelerated loss of corneal endothelial cells in the innermost layer of the cornea that leads to vision impairment and potential blindness if left untreated. FECD is responsible for more than 50% of the 1.300 annual corneal transplantations in the Netherlands.
Corneal transplantation improves vision and quality of life in patients with corneal disease. Currently, the standard of care for patients with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) is Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK), in which only the posterior layers of the cornea are transplanted. However, visual recovery following DSAEK is suboptimal. Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), the latest technique in corneal transplantation involves transplantation of only a monolayer of corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane providing the thinnest endothelial graft possible. DMEK has been suggested to result in faster and better visual recovery compared to DSAEK. While the economic burden, both medical and social, from this disease has not been assessed to date, costs associated with corneal transplantation reach $ 110 million dollars yearly for the 47.000 transplantations in the USA.
The objective of this project is to assess the effects and costs of DMEK vs. DSAEK in order to determine whether the new technique is effective and cost-effective over the standard technique.
The primary outcome measure is best-corrected visual acuity. Secondary outcome measures are contrast acuity, astigmatism, quality of vision, endothelial cell loss, incidence of graft rejection, primary graft failure, cornea donor loss due to preparation, and generic and vision-related quality of life.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 54 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Single (Participant) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Corneal Transplantation by DMEK - is it Really Better Than DSAEK? |
Actual Study Start Date : | October 2016 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | January 2019 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | February 2019 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: DMEK
The intervention group will receive cornea transplantation by DMEK
|
Procedure: DMEK
The intervention group will receive cornea transplantation by DMEK |
Active Comparator: DSAEK
The usual care / control group will receive cornea transplantation by DSAEK
|
Procedure: DSAEK
The usual care / control group will receive cornea transplantation by DSAEK |
- Change in best-corrected visual acuity [ Time Frame: Preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Visual acuity will be measured by ETDRS letter charts
- Change in contrast sensitivity [ Time Frame: Preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Contrast sensitivity will be measured using the CSV-1000 chart by Vector Vision
- Change in astigmatism [ Time Frame: Preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Astigmatism will be measured using the The Pentacam HR (Oculus Inc., Lynnwood, USA)
- Change in corneal scatter [ Time Frame: Preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Corneal scatter will be measured using a confocal microscope
- Change in endothelial cell loss [ Time Frame: Preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Endothelial cell loss will be measured using specular microscopy photography.
- Incidence of graft rejection [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]
- Incidence of primary graft failure [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Primary Graft failure will be assessed during ophthalmic examination.
- Incidence of cornea donor loss due to preparation [ Time Frame: Preoperatively ]The eye bank providing the donor cornea's will register cornea donor loss if a complication occurs during preparation that renders the cornea unusable.
- Change in generic quality of life [ Time Frame: Preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Generic quality of life will be measured using the HUI3 (Health Utility Index Mark 3), which test 8 dimensions: vision, hearing, speech, ambulation, dexterity, emotion, cognition and pain.
- Change in generic quality of life [ Time Frame: Preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Generic quality of life will be measured using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, which tests 5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression.
- Change in vision-related quality of life [ Time Frame: Preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively ]Vision-related quality of life will be measured using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25), which is specified for vision-related quality of life.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 21 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Cornea decompensation caused Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Exclusion Criteria:
- Ocular comorbidities other than cataract
- Previous corneal transplantation
- Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched keratoplasty
- Inability to complete follow-up

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02793310
Netherlands | |
Maastricht University Medical Centre | |
Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands, 6202 AZ |
Principal Investigator: | Rudy Nuijts, PhD | Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University Medical Centre |
Publications:
Responsible Party: | Maastricht University Medical Center |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT02793310 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
NL55972.068.15 |
First Posted: | June 8, 2016 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 7, 2019 |
Last Verified: | March 2019 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Undecided |
Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary Corneal Diseases |
Eye Diseases Eye Diseases, Hereditary Genetic Diseases, Inborn |