To evaluate the clinical outcome of small-incision, deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction.

A prospective series of 79 eyes that underwent DLEK by a single surgeon was evaluated. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refractive astigmatism, and central endothelial cell density (ECD) were measured preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months.

Data was available on 78 eyes (99%) at 6 months, 77 eyes (97%) at 1 year, and 79 eyes (100%) at 2 years. Mean BSCVA preoperatively of 20/71 improved to 20/42 by 6 months and remained stable. Eliminating eyes with known retinal disease, BSCVA of 20/40 or better was present in 60% (40 of 67) of eyes at 6 months, 74% (49 of 66) of eyes at 1 year, and 79% (53 of 68) of eyes at 2 years. Refractive astigmatism preoperatively was .91 ±.78 diopters and was unchanged by surgery over time with results at 6 months of 1.11 ±.76 (P = .052, power = .43), 1 year 1.04 ±.80 (P =.287, power = .06), and 2 years 1.10 ±.70 (P =.467, power = .22). The mean donor ECD preoperatively was 2819 ± 225 (2389 to 3385) cells/mm², and this decreased by 26% at 6 months (2095 ± 380) (1097 to 2920) (P = .0001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 643–809), 3% fewer at 1 year (2009 ± 393) (612 to 2723) (P = .054, power = .5), and 17% fewer at 2 years (1536 ± 547) (500 to 2546) (P < .001, 95% CI = 368–585). Complications included one primary graft failure and 4 dislocations into the anterior chamber.

DLEK provides improved vision and minimal refractive astigmatic change, but progressive ECD decrease over time is of concern.