Background: Although penetrating keratoplasty remains the gold standard for surgically treating corneal endothelial pathologies, tremendous progress has been made in recent years to improve the technology of (posterior) lamellar keratoplasty.
Methods: Literature review from PubMed and own data.
Results: Posterior lamellar keratoplasty using a microkeratome (Descemet's stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty, or DSAEK) is a reliable surgical technique for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Visual rehabilitation is faster with lamellar keratoplasty than penetrating keratoplasty.
Conclusion: Posterior lamellar keratoplasty techniques such as DSAEK will become an important surgical treatment option for corneal endothelial pathologies.