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Original Investigation

Donor Diabetes and 1-Year Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Success Rate

JAMA Ophthalmology 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2025.4253

October 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM EDT

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Does the presence of diabetes in a cornea donor affect the success of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) 1 year postoperatively?In this randomized clinical trial including 1097 individuals and 1421 eyes, DMEK was successful at 1 year using corneas from donors with or without diabetes. The success rate among trial recipients did not appear to be influenced by donor diabetes severity.DMEK is a highly effective procedure, and the 1-year success rate did not appear to be influenced by the presence of diabetes in the donor.

Corresponding Author: Jonathan H. Lass, MD, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106 (deks@case.edu).

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