New Clinical Evidence: Donor Diabetes Does Not Impact Corneal Graft Outcomes After Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) A multicenter, double-masked randomized clinical trial co-authored by GCDTR’s researchers at Jaeb Center for Health Research published in JAMA Ophthalmology studied 1,274 eyes from 982 recipients undergoing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).
Findings: 1-year endothelial cell loss: ~28% in both donor groups (with and without diabetes) No significant differences in morphometric measures (cell variability or hexagonality) 1-year graft success comparable across all groups Conclusion: Corneal donor diabetes did not affect graft survival, endothelial cell loss, or morphology, supporting the safe and effective use of corneas from donors with diabetes in DMEK procedures.
