Policyholder Services

Does my policy include coverage for DSEK?

Yes. OMIC’s Surgery Class 3 coverage classification extends coverage not only for traditional corneal transplant surgery (a penetrating keratoplasty) but also for other corneal grafting procedures, such as DLEK (deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty), DALK (deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty), DSEK (Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty), DSAEK (Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty), and FLAK (femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty). FLAK requires certification on the femtosecond laser being utilized. Because DSEK and DSAEK can be technically challenging, corneal specialists interested in performing these procedures should complete an appropriate training course, including observation of a surgeon experienced in the technique. Proper patient selection and informed consent are also critical. A sample consent form for DSEK, sample consent form, developed by Steven I. Rosenfeld, MD, FACS, is available on OMIC’s web site.

OMIC also encourages its insureds to inform their patients of their limited experience performing new surgical techniques. For additional information regarding this informed consent issue, please refer to OMIC’s Hotline article, “Informing Patients About Your Surgical Experience,” featured in the Spring 2004 Digest.