The Effect of Excimer Laser Photorefractory Keratectomy on Density of Corneal Endothelial cells

ABSTRACT

To investigate the effect of 193 nm ArF excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK) on corneal endothelium, 18 patients(30 eyes), undergone PRK at department of ophthalmology of Seoul National University Hospital from August to December 1994, were analyzed according to their preoperative contact lens use or not, amount of attempted correction (6D over or under) and postoperative topical steroid use or not. The central corneal endothelial cell density was measured before and 1 week, 2 months after PRK. Differences of the central corneal endothelial cell density between contact lens user and nonuser, myopes over 6D and under 6D, and steroid user and non-user were not statistically significant.