Case Western Reserve University
This multi-center clinical trial is designed to assess the association of diabetes in a cornea donor with transplant success and loss of endothelial cells 5 years following Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Study eyes are assigned to receive either a cornea from a donor without diabetes or a cornea from a donor with diabetes in a masked fashion.
Inclusion Criteria: * Willing to return to the study site for follow up at 3 and 5 years after a Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty procedure * Fluent in English or Spanish * Willing to have fingerstick blood sample collected to determine HbA1c level * Participated and completed 12-month follow-up in the DEKS study for one or both eyes or a DEKS participant that had a study eye regraft prior to the 12-month visit. Exclusion Criteria: * Lack cognitive capacity such that consent could not be provided.
Replacement of the recipient corneal endothelial and Descemet membrane with healthy tissue from a donor cornea.