title: Corneal involvement in uneventful cataract surgery: an in vivo confocal microscopy study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate corneal subbasal layer changes after uneventful cataract surgery by means of in vivo confocal microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 30 patients. Before surgery, and 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10 months after cataract surgery, all patients underwent a complete ophthalmological and confocal microscopy examination in the central and temporal corneal areas. Number of fibers, beading, tortuosity and reflectivity were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Important changes were shown in the central cornea up to 3 months after surgery: a reduction in nerve fiber number (baseline: 4.4 ± 1.7; month 1: 1.2 ± 0.5, p < 0.0001; month 3: 2.5 ± 1.2, p < 0.005) and reflectivity (baseline: 3.6 ± 0.5; month 1: 1.4 ± 0.6, p < 0.0001; month 3: 1.9 ± 0.9, p < 0. 0001), and an increase in beading (baseline: 0.3 ± 0.5 beads/100 µm(2); month 1: 2.7 ± 0.6 beads/100 µm(2), p < 0.0001; month 3: 2.6 ± 0.5 beads/100 µm(2), p < 0. 0001). The confocal parameters completely progressively recovered thereafter (60% at 6 months, 87% at 8 and 10 months). The temporal plexus was absent at 1 month and fully recovered in all patients at month 8.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uneventful cataract surgery induces relevant corneal modifications when inspected by means of confocal microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Cillà
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fogagnolo
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Orzalesi
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carini
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ceresara
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossetti
mesh_terms: D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003315:Cornea / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors