title: Does endothelial cell density correlate with corneal diameter in a group of young adults?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In children, but not in the elderly, an association exists between corneal diameter and endothelial cell density (ECD). We tested whether such an association also held true in young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The eyes of 35 healthy subjects (mean age, 23.1 +/- 3.1 years) were photographed by using a video camera and a noncontact endothelial microscope. Both sets of images were analyzed with image software and the contour method to measure corneal diameter, ECD, and endothelial coefficients. Axial lengths, refractive errors, and corneal curvatures were measured by using an A-scan ultrasonic biometer and kerato-refractometer. Measurements, averaged for the right and left eyes, were analyzed depending on (1) use of contact lenses, (2) ametropia, and on whether (3) axial length or (4) corneal diameter was above or below group means. Differences were tested for statistical significance with independent t tests and association with the Pearson correlation coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ECD, corneal diameter, and spherical equivalent refraction were 3022 +/- 262 cells/mm2, 12.0 +/- 0.5 mm, and -3.1 +/- 2.5 D, respectively. The only significant differences between wearers and nonwearers of contact lenses were the spherical refractive equivalent and axial length. There was no correlation between ECD and corneal diameter or axial length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As opposed to previously reported results in children, but as found in the elderly, there is no correlation between ECD and corneal diameter in young adults. Therefore, corneal size cannot be considered a determinant of ECD in young adults.
authors.affiliation: School of Optometry and Research Unit in Vision Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. claude.giasson@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Claude J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Giasson
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gosselin
authors.forename: Aviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masella
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forcier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology*; D005123:Eye / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography; D012029:Refraction, Ocular