DMEK

Clear Your Vision

DMEK is one of the most modern and effective treatments for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and other conditions that cause swelling of the cornea.

The procedure clears your vision by transplanting the tissue at the back of your cornea – a layer of cells only 15 microns thick (10-20% of the width of human hair).

It is therefore a very delicate surgery requiring extensive training and precision, which is why it’s only offered by a handful of ophthalmologists Australia-wide.

Eastside Eye Specialist Care’s Dr Josh Hann performs DMEK at our practice in Brisbane.

Your Vision in Safe Hands

Dr Hann first trained in DMEK in Australia before receiving further training in the Netherlands under an ophthalmologist who invented the procedure – Professor Gerrit Melles. This training and certification has refined his technique for successfully performing this complex surgery.

Before you undergo DMEK, Dr Hann will meet with you to explain the procedure, advise you on preparation, and outline what you can expect after recovery. He’ll also answer your questions to support you in making an informed decision about your treatment.

Book a Consultation

If you’ve been diagnosed with a condition that causes corneal swelling, DMEK may be the answer.

To discover whether DMEK is the right treatment for you, email info@eastsideeye.com.au to book a consultation with Dr Hann today.

Your Procedure
Like most eye surgery, DMEK is usually performed on one eye at a time. The transplant tissue is prepared in the operating theatre immediately before your surgery, and the following procedure takes around 20-60 minutes. The utmost care is taken to ensure successful adhesion of the tissue to your eye, which is done with an air bubble that sits between your iris and cornea.
Recovering After DMEK
Dr Hann will provide you with personalised advice about recovering after DMEK. However, here are some of the general things you can expect.

For the first 48 hours after your procedure, you’ll need to spend the majority of your time in the correct posture to ensure the best chance of adherence to your cornea. Dr Hann will perform three checks in the first month after your surgery in order to ensure the DMEK is adhering and functioning correctly. You can also expect to use eye drops for around two months after the procedure.

With the right after care, DMEK should give you the best possible vision result compared to any other treatment for conditions such as Fuchs that involve endothelial pump cell damage.