Asymmetrical endothelial cell migration from in vitro Quarter-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty grafts.

In vitro EC migration from Quarter-DMEK grafts occurs along the radial cut edges with a decrease in migration activity towards the corneal far periphery. No migration occurred along the outer peripheral corneal edge possibly due to a different anatomical matrix in the far periphery. Hence, ECs from the far periphery may not contribute to corneal clearance of the adjacent bare area after Quarter-DMEK surgery, but these cells may constitute a valuable cellular reserve on the graft.