FORT MYERS - Area Cornea and Refractive Specialist Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS, recently attended a course in Indianapolis on a new corneal transplant procedure called Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK). Dr. Frantz has been performing Corneal Transplant Surgery for more than15 years; however, with the new DSEK surgical technique, he is able to replace only the damaged cell layer instead of replacing the entire thickness of the cornea.

The cornea is a transparent dome on the front of the eye. Corneal edema (swelling) produces decreased vision due to loss of transparency of this normally clear tissue.  “The swelling is due to a loss of endothelium, a thin layer of cells found on the back surface of the cornea. These cells are not capable of dividing or repairing themselves.  The only treatment for visually significant corneal swelling is to replace these cells,” explained Dr. Frantz

With this new technique, the cornea heals much faster and stronger and the patient’s visual recovery is better.  According to Dr. Frantz, “The DSEK technique leaves a smoother interface and significantly improves the visual results.  It has become a preferred method of treatment for Fuchs' Dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.  Posterior graft patients now routinely see 20/60 or better within three months of surgery and some 20/20.  

Advantages of DSEK as compared to penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) are:
   • The eye is left much stronger and more resistant to injury
   •There is minimal change in refractive error because the patient's cornea is essentially intact
   •Suture-related problems can be eliminated
   •Visual recovery is significantly faster and better
      
“Posterior lamellar grafting with Descemet's stripping offers patients better visual recovery and a less protracted clinical course than standard PKP,” said Dr. Frantz. “It is a great alternative for younger, more active patients bothered by glare and blurring from guttata or for the elderly who dread the long and involved postoperative course of standard PKP,” he added.

In addition to performing corneal surgery, Dr. Frantz has been a pioneer of laser technology since 1987.  He is the area’s most experienced refractive surgeon having performed the first Excimer laser procedure in Florida for nearsightedness and astigmatism. He was the first surgeon in our area to offer CustomVue LASIK in 2003.  He is equally renowned in our area as a cataract surgeon and performed the area’s first ReSTOR Lens Implant in May of this year.  In July he was selected by his peers to be included in the Best Doctors in America.

For additional information, visit the Florida Eye Health website at or call one of Dr. Frantz’s offices conveniently located in Fort Myers 418-0999, Cape Coral 542-4123, or Naples 430-3939.