Chanages of Central Corneal Endothelial Cells Following Phacoemulsification Through a Temporal Clear Corneal Incision under Topical Anesthesia

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the changes of the central corneal endothelial cell density and morphology after phacoemulsification and foldable silicone intraocular lens(IOL) implantation through a 3.2mm temporal clear corneal incision under topical anesthesia. On 43 patients(43 eyes) who had no systemic and ocular disease to influence the status of corneal endothelium , central corneal thickness, central corneal endothelial celldensity, pleomorphism index and polymegathism index, there was significant increase at 1 day postoperatively and recovery to preoperative state at 2 months poeroperatively. Central corneal endothelial cell losses were 8.92% at 1 day postoperatively and 15.95% at 2 months poeroperatively(p=0.00) and statistically significant increase of polymegathism index was noted at 1 day and 2 months poeroperatively. However no significant difference in central corneal endothelial cell loss and polymegathism index was noted at 6 months postoperatively. From the above results, we concluded that the phacoemulsification through a temporal clear corneal incision under topical anesthesia decreases the central corneal endothelial cell density and increase polymegathism index of the corneal endothelial cells, but these changes become stabilized after postoperative 2 months. Also proper control group must be set up to detect causes of corneal endothelial cell loss and it is neede to estalblish a new criteria for safe corneal endothelial cell density.