Corneal refractive and endothelial changes following THC:YAG (holmium) laser sclerostomy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of THC:YAG (holmium) laser sclerostomy on corneal curvature and endothelial cell counts.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-five cases were reviewed for high postoperative corneal astigmatism (> 5 D) or preoperative and postoperative endothelial cell count measurements in eyes without preoperative evidence of corneal endothelial compromise.


RESULTS
Nine patients had keratometry reading at 2 to 3 months with documented corneal astigmatic changes of 5.62 to 12 D (mean 7.27 +/- 2.16 D). Sixteen eyes of 14 patients studied with specular microscopy had central mean endothelial cell count reductions of 6.5% following THC:YAG laser sclerostomy. The total energy applied correlated with the percentage reduction in endothelial cell counts (r = .507, P = .045, n = 16, Spearman correlation).


CONCLUSIONS
Higher laser energy levels can result in high corneal astigmatism, which in some cases may be persistent, and a reduction in endothelial cell count.
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
J R
JR
Trible
K W
KW
Olander
S B
SB
Koenig
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012599:Sclerostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome