DMEK 2.0: Beyond the Basics

As preparation techniques for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) become more advanced, the requests become more complex. This session moves past the basics of tissue preparation for DMEK as the speakers discuss cases and situations where the preparation may be more complex or require additional considerations than a typical case.

Speakers will share videos and experiences highlighting the following situations:

• Endo-In DMEK

• Using tissue from diabetic donors

• DMEK with an IOL

• Turning DSAEK tissue into a DMEK graft

• Punching down already processed tissue

Attend this session to expand your knowledge about DMEK tissue preparation beyond the basics!

Chris Conwell, CEBT, CQIA (ASQ)

Eye Bank Technical Programs Administrator

Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank

Chris Conwell, CEBT, CQIA (ASQ), is the Technical Programs Administrator for Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank. He began his tenure in 2011 as a per diem Tissue Recovery Technician, Chris now oversees ocular recovery training, corneal evaluation and processing training, and ocular related research & development. Chris serves as a member of the EBAA Technician Education Committee and as a faculty member of the Technician Education Seminar.

Chelsea Green, CEBT

Processing Services Program Coordinator

Iowa Lions Eye Bank

Chelsea Green, CEBT,is the Processing Services Manager for the Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Chelsea received both a BA and BS with a focus in research from the University of Illinois Chicago. She came to the University of Iowa in 2011 to work in medical research and worked on multiple studies before finding her way into eye banking and earning her CEBT. She currently oversees the processing department at Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Chelsea is a member of the Technician Education Committee.

Nicholas Hicks, CEBT

Director, Tissue Processing

Eversight

Nicholas Hicks, CEBT, serves as the Director of Tissue Processing at Eversight. Nicholas has been with Eversight since 2012. Throughout his tenure, he has prepared over 4,000 corneas for transplantation and actively contributed to numerous research studies to advance sight restoration. Nicholas is a Certified Eye Bank Technician and plays a significant role in the eye banking community, serving on the Eye Bank Association of America's Technician Education Committee and Accreditation Board. In September 2024, he participated in a transformative training session during the World Eye Bank Symposium in Jakarta, Indonesia, underscoring his commitment to global collaboration in combating corneal blindness.