DSAEK in Cairo — the safer alternative when DMEK isn't possible.

DMEK transplants only the Descemet membrane and endothelium (~10–15 microns). DSAEK adds a thin layer of stroma (~50–150 microns). DMEK gives sharper vision and lower rejection but is more technically demanding and not feasible in some eyes. DSAEK is the right choice when DMEK isn't safe.

Most patients see useful vision within 2–4 weeks; full visual stability takes 3–6 months. You'll need to keep your head face-up for the first 24 hours so the air bubble holds the graft.

DSAEK has a 5–10% lifetime rejection rate — higher than DMEK (3–5%) but much lower than PKP (15–20%). Most rejection episodes respond to topical steroids if caught early.

Yes — DSAEK is often the right choice in eyes with glaucoma drainage devices. The thicker graft handles the modified anterior segment better than DMEK. We'll evaluate your specific case to confirm.

Plan for at least 7 days. Day 1: full pre-op evaluation. Day 2–3: surgery and immediate review. Days 4–7: short follow-ups. After that, follow-up can shift to your local ophthalmologist with our protocol.

Yes — and DSAEK is often the safer choice for these eyes. 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): endothelial keratoplasty is feasible and beneficial in eyes with prior LASIK or radial keratotomy. The thicker DSAEK graft handles the modified anterior segment more forgivingly than DMEK in many of these eyes. Clinical caveat: clearing the corneal edema may unmask topography changes from the prior refractive surgery, so plan for a glasses update around month 3.