If you suffer from Fuchs' Dystrophy or another corneal condition, contact DLEK corneal transplant surgeon Steven Koenig in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to schedule a consultation.
Steven B. Koenig, M.D.
925 North 87th St.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
P / 414-456-5274
F / 414-456-6300
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Corneal Transplant for Fuchs' Dystrophy – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dr. Steven Koenig uses DSAEK and DLEK corneal transplant procedures to treat Fuchs' Dystrophy patients at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Dr. Koenig has performed DSAEK/DLEK surgery for the past three years and has published extensively on this subject. Dr. Koenig has treated patients from all over the United States suffering from a variety of corneal conditions, including Fuchs' Dystrophy.
DLEK and DSAEK Corneal Transplant
Descemet's stripping and automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) are cutting-edge corneal transplant procedures. In a conventional corneal transplant surgery, the entire cornea is replaced. This procedure involves large incisions, many stitches, and a very long recovery time. In DLEK and DSAEK procedures, only the endothelium, the innermost layer of cells in the cornea, is replaced. The procedure is completed through a smaller incision with fewer stitches, which decreases recovery time and lessens the risks associated with the procedure.
When performing DLEK and DSAEK, the surgeon will first make a small incision in the sclera, or white tissue, of the eye. This incision gives access to the inner surface of the cornea. Diseased endothelial tissue is removed through the incision, and then donor tissue from the eye bank is implanted. The cornea takes longer to heal that most other parts of the body because it is an avascular organ – it is not served by blood vessels. However, most DLEK and DSAEK patients fully recover within a few months of the surgery.
There is a fundamental difference between DLEK and DSAEK. In DSAEK the donor tissue is placed on the inner surface of the cornea, and adheres when air bubbles are blown into the space behind it, forcing it into place. In DLEK, however, the donor tissue is inserted through a corneal incision and is then precisely positioned. DLEK has a longer track record than DSAEK, but both procedures are very promising for those who suffer from corneal dysfunction. Dr. Koenig is among only a few eye surgeons who have pioneered these procedures since their introduction. The results of his clinical studies on DSAEK and DLEK corneal transplant for Fuchs' Dystrophy, performed at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, have been published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Fuchs' Dystrophy
Fuchs' Dystrophy is a progressive corneal disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of the corneal endothelium. The endothelium is responsible for controlling fluid and solute transport into and out of the cornea in order to maintain the clean and slightly dehydrated state necessary for clear vision. In patients suffering from Fuchs' Dystrophy, the endothelium gradually loses its ability to regulate fluid and solute transport. As impurities build up in the cornea and hydration levels fluctuate, the cornea swells and vision becomes blurry. Occasionally blisters form on the endothelium, which can be very painful. With time, Fuchs' Dystrophy patients can become functionally blind. At this point, a corneal transplant is generally recommended.
Fuchs' Dystrophy affects women slightly more often than men. Early onset symptoms generally manifest between the ages of 30 and 40, but vision isn’t usually impaired until age 50 or 60. Individuals suffering from Fuchs' Dystrophy come from all over the country to see Dr. Koenig in Milwaukee, Wisconsin because he is a widely recognized authority on the condition and the latest treatment options.
Contact Dr. Steven Koenig
Treating Fuchs' dystrophy with DLEK or DSAEK corneal transplant surgery is a new frontier in ophthalmology. Milwaukee, Wisconsin surgeon Steven Koenig, M.D., is a recognized expert on medical conditions affecting the cornea. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, please call 414-456-7842.