Prevention and management of complications in descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) [Komplikationsvermeidung und -management bei "descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty" (DMEK) und "descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty" (DSAEK)]

Background. Posterior lamellar keratoplasty, in the form of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), has become a standard procedure for therapy of endothelial diseases of the cornea. The aim of this article is to describe strategies to prevent and manage complications in DMEK and DSAEK surgery.Methods. The article is based on a PubMed literature search and own clinical data. Key words used were DMEK, DSAEK, Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty. Results. The DMEK and DSAEK procedures are safe surgical strategies for treating endothelial corneal diseases if the indications are made correctly. Conclusions. The DMEK procedure is the standard procedure for improvement of visual acuity especially for younger patients with Fuchs' dystrophy and DSAEK is particularly suitable for eyes with complicated anterior chamber situations. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.