Short-term Change in Corneal Endothelium after Iris-Fixed Phakic Intraocular Lens Insertion

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate endothelial change in phakic eyes implanted with Artisan phakic IOL inserts and to identify the associated factors. METHODS: We prospectively examined the endothelial change in 11 phakic eyes implanted with Artisan phakic IOL inserts. Noncontact specular microscopy was performed preoperatively, and at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean endothelial cell loss was 3.57% at 1 week, and 4.69% at 1 month. There was a statistically significant decrease in endothelial cell density and an increase in pleomorphism and polymegathism of the cells after the surgery which indicate cellular damage (p0.05). No correlation was observed between cell loss and corneal curvature, critical distance, IOL optic size, IOL diopter, or serial order of the operation. However, there was significant negative correlation (R=-7.600; p>0.05) between cell loss and anterior chamber depth. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial damage occurred primarily during the surgical procedure and special attention should be given to patients with shallow anterior chamber depth for iris-fixed phakic IOL inserts to avoid unintended endothelial damage.