Ayca Kupeli CINAR, Abdulkadir Can CINAR, Ahmet Kursad SAKALLIOĞLU, Ruveyde GARIP, Hande GUCLU
Turkish Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - 2026;21(2):43-50
Purpose: To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes and complications of anterior chamber gas tamponade in centrally located planar Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) following cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 12 eyes of 12 patients who developed DMD after cataract surgery between January 2023 and June 2025 and were treated with anterior chamber gas tamponade using 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF?) or 14% perfluoropropane (C?F?). DMD was diagnosed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Only centrally located planar DMD cases were included. Anatomical success was defined as complete Descemet membrane reattachment, and functional success as an improvement of at least two Snellen lines in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results: The mean patient age was 75 +/- 8.83 years. Anatomical success was achieved in 11 eyes (91.6%). A single gas injection was sufficient in 75% of cases, while four patients required a second injection. Mean BCVA in logMAR (0.70+/-0.73) after DMD resolution was significantly higher than pre-treatment (2.11+/-0.54) and early postoperative (1.80+/-0.83) values (p:0.001, p:0.003). A transient increase in intraocular pressure was observed on postoperative day one, with no permanent pressure-related complications. The only unsuccessful case had low preoperative endothelial cell count and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Conclusion: Anterior chamber gas tamponade is a safe and effective treatment for centrally located planar DMD after cataract surgery, providing high anatomical success and significant visual improvement. Adequate endothelial reserve is critical for treatment success.
