DMEK and S-DMEK in Cairo — by the surgeon who introduced it.

DMEK transplants only the Descemet membrane and endothelial cells (about 10–15 microns thick). DSAEK includes a thin layer of stroma as well (around 100 microns). DMEK gives faster visual recovery, sharper vision, and a lower rejection rate. DSAEK is preferred only when the eye's anterior segment is too complex for DMEK (prior glaucoma surgery, very shallow chamber, etc.).

Most patients notice clearer vision within 1–2 weeks. Full visual stability takes 3–6 months. You'll need to keep your head face-up for the first 24–48 hours so the air bubble holds the graft in place.

DMEK has the lowest lifetime rejection rate of any keratoplasty — around 3–5%. Most rejection episodes are reversible if caught early; topical steroids are the first-line treatment.

Almost certainly. DMEK is now considered the first-line surgical treatment for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. We confirm candidacy with specular microscopy (endothelial cell count) and OCT.

We import tissue from internationally certified eye banks — primarily VisionGift (USA) and Saving Sight (USA), with some European banks for specific cases. Every tissue ships with a full clinical report including donor age, endothelial cell density, and viral screening.

DMEK in Cairo is around $3,000–$3,500. The same procedure costs €10,000–€18,000 in Western Europe and $25,000–$40,000 in the United States. Same tissue source. Same surgical technique. Same outcomes. The price differential reflects operating costs, not clinical standards.

Yes. This is a co-authored research paper Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy contributed to, published as a poster at the AAO 2014 Annual Meeting (Terry MA, Straiko MD, Veldman PB, Alshaarawy AM [Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy], Mayko Z — Poster #30039964): DMEK is feasible and beneficial in eyes with prior refractive surgery. Mean BSCVA improved from 20/41 to 20/24 (P=0.026). Clinical caveat: clearing the corneal edema can unmask unpredictable topography changes from the prior LASIK/RK, so post-operative refraction may shift more than in a virgin eye — plan for a glasses update at month 3.

In a small percentage of cases the DMEK graft detaches partially and needs an in-clinic injection of a second air bubble to re-attach. This is a co-authored research paper Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy contributed to, published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Terry MA, Alshaarawy AM [Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy], Sales CS, Mayko ZM, Straiko MD — ARVO IOVS 2015) studying which surgical and patient factors predict re-bubble rates after DMEK. In our practice, the re-bubble rate is under 10% and the procedure is done in clinic under topical anaesthesia — no return to the operating room.