Introduction: 3 cases are used to illustrate the technique of Descemet membrane (DM) relaxing incisions followed by air descemetopexy for the management of patients with acute corneal hydrops.
Patients and clinical findings: In each case, anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated taut DM detachments and hydrops was refractory to conservative medical management and intracameral air injection.
Diagnosis intervention and outcomes: To facilitate the reapproximation of DM and potentiate corneal deturgescence, intraoperative OCT-guided descemetotomy was performed with bent surgical scissors and a bent 30-gauge needle. Subsequent air descemetopexy was successful, and DM reattachment was maintained postoperatively. Corneal edema improved in all patients relatively rapidly postoperatively.
Conclusions: Relaxing descemetotomy with air descemetopexy may be useful in cases of acute corneal hydrops with taut DM detachments that are unresponsive to air tamponade alone.