We have developed innovative approaches to endothelial keratoplasty. Recent trends in corneal transplantation technique had seen a paradigm shift from full thickness penetrating keratoplasty to partial thickness lamellar corneal transplantation to facilitate rapid visual rehabilitation in patients suffering from corneal blindness.
Our research is based on a novel technique to prepare ultrathin corneal transplants from donor corneas to improve visual outcomes in patients undergoing endothelial keratoplasty (Microthin DSAEK). This project had received the NHS Enterprise East innovation award.
Our research also includes safety threshold of vital dyes and their use in DMEK corneal transplantation. These have had a positive influence on reducing intraoperative and post-operative complications in DMEK procedures with improved patient outcomes.
Randomised clinical trial comparing patient outcomes between Microthin DSAEK and DMEK procedures are expected to inform the corneal transplant community, eye banking organisations and patients regarding the relative merits of different techniques to improve visual results following transplantation.
Matsou, A., Pujari, R., Sarwar, H., Rana, M., Myerscough, J., Thomson, S. M., Nandakumar, G., Zhang, J., Rajan, M. S., 2020. Microthin Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Versus Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Cornea. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000002601
Rolev, K., Coussons, P., King, L., Rajan, M., 2019. Experimental models of corneal endothelial cell therapy and translational challenges to clinical practice. Experimental Eye Research, 188, pp. 107794. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107794
Rolev, K., OʼDonovan, D. G., Coussons, P., King, L., Rajan, M. S., 2018. Feasibility Study of Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Transplantation Using an In Vitro Human Corneal Model. Cornea, 37(6). doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000001555
Rolev, K., O'Donovan, D. G., Georgiou, C., Rajan, M. S., Chittka, A., 2017. Identification of Prdm genes in human corneal endothelium. Experimental Eye Research, 159, pp. 114-122. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.02.009