On the issue of separate designation of the pre-Descemet's layer in the structure of the cornea

• Published in: Vestnik oftal'mologii Vol. 139; no. 2; p. 108
• Main Authors: Oganesyan, O G, Bagamanova, E K, Gusak, D A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: Russia (Federation) 2023
• Subjects: Cornea - surgery; Corneal Transplantation - methods; Descemet Membrane - surgery; Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty - adverse effects; Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty - methods; Humans; Tissue and Organ Harvesting; Descemet’s membrane; pre-Descemet’s layer; deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty; Bowman layer transplantation; corneal transplantation; Dua’s Layer
• ISSN: 0042-465X
• DOI: 10.17116/oftalma2023139021108

Selective exchange of pathologically altered retinal layers is currently considered the most practical approach in corneal transplantation. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) are often performed as pathogenetically substantiated transplantation methods. The technique and the course of surgery, possible complications, and achieved outcomes, among other things, depend largely on the pre-Descemet's layer, which was described more than 10 years ago by several ophthalmologists in varying detail. In view of this, the main issue discussed in literature is the following: is the pre-Descemet's layer (Dua's layer) a separate (new) layer of the cornea, or is it an integral part of the stroma (the Feizi stroma)? This article continues the discussion on «separate designation of the pre-Descemet's layer in the structure of the cornea» and presents the view of the authors on this problem based on own experience, literature data, anatomical subdisciplines, as well as specific aspects of ophthalmological terminology, and with the use of extrapolation and analogies.