Long-term endothelial changes in phakic eyes with posterior chamber intraocular lenses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term endothelial cell changes in phakic eyes after implantation of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens to correct high ametropia.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.


METHODS
Thirty-four eyes of 21 patients having implantation of an implantable contact lens (ICL, Staar Surgical) for high myopia or hyperopia were prospectively examined. The minimum follow-up was 2 to 4 years. Preoperative and serial postoperative specular microscopy (Noncon Robo SP 8000, Konan) was performed to evaluate the long-term endothelial cell changes.


RESULTS
The mean preoperative endothelial cell density was 2854 cells/mm(2). The mean endothelial cell loss from preoperatively was 1.8% at 3 months, 4.2% at 6 months, 5.5% at 12 months, 7.9% at 2 years (n = 34), 12.9% at 3 years (n = 13), and 12.3% at 4 years (n = 11). All other endothelial cell characteristics remained stable during the 4-year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous endothelial cell loss was observed after ICL implantation during a 4-year follow-up. There was rapid cell loss until 1 year postoperatively, after which the rate of loss was no longer statistically significant. The percentage of hexagonal cells (polymorphism) and the coefficient of variation (polymegethism) remained stable during the 4-year follow-up.
Dejaco-Ruhswurm
Irene
I
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria. irene.ruhswurm@akh-wien.ac.at
Scholz
Ursula
U
Pieh
Stefan
S
Hanselmayer
Georg
G
Lackner
Birgit
B
Italon
Carmen
C
Ploner
Meinhard
M
Skorpik
Christian
C
D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors