Effect of laser in situ keratomileusis on the corneal endothelium.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on the corneal endothelium.


METHODS
In a prospective study, preoperative and 12-month postoperative specular microscopy of the central corneal endothelium and corneal thickness assessment was done in 180 eyes of 105 patients (mean age 31.96 +/- 8.88 years; range 16 to 55 yr) who had LASIK to correct myopia. The central endothelium was analyzed for several parameters including cell density, coefficient of variation, and corneal thickness. Preoperative and postoperative data were compared.


RESULTS
The mean preoperative endothelial cell density was 2,547.37 +/- 282.00 cells/mm2, mean coefficient of variation of cell size was 58.33 +/- 11.50%, and mean central corneal thickness was 558.90 +/- 28.42 microm. There was not a statistically significant change in mean endothelial cell density (2,508.24 +/- 289.57 cells/mm2) or mean coefficient of variation (58.61 +/- 9.89%) at 1 year after surgery (P >.05 ). Average endothelial cell loss was 1.54% at 1 year after surgery. Mean central corneal thickness at 12 months postoperatively was 493.24 +/- 52.55 microm (P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
LASIK did not appear to alter corneal endothelial cell density at 12 months postoperatively.
Simaroj
Pornchai
P
Department of Ophthalmology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University. Bangkok, Thailand. rapsi@mahidol.mucc.ac.th
Kosalprapai
Kessara
K
Chuckpaiwong
Varintorn
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity