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Reassessment of the corneal endothelial cell organisation in children
A Müller1, M J Doughty, L Wright
1Glasgow Caledonian University, Department of Vision Sciences, Glasgow G4 0BA.
Insights
Children have high corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), but not necessarily a high percentage of hexagonal cells. This study assessed corneal mosaic uniformity in healthy pediatric subjects.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Science
- Pediatric Eye Health
Background:
- The corneal endothelium is crucial for maintaining corneal clarity.
- Understanding endothelial cell mosaic characteristics in children is important for assessing ocular health.
- Specular microscopy is a key diagnostic tool for evaluating corneal endothelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the uniformity of the corneal endothelial cell mosaic in healthy children.
- To determine the relationship between endothelial cell density and cell shape in pediatric subjects.
Main Methods:
- Specular microscopy was performed on 36 healthy children aged 5-11 years.
- Endothelial cell density (ECD) was calculated, and the number of sides per cell was recorded.
- Statistical analysis was used to assess cell density, cell area, and cell shape distribution.
Main Results:
- Average ECD was 3987 cells/mm², with a normal distribution.
- The average percentage of six-sided cells was 66.6%.
- A positive correlation was found between cell area and the number of cell sides, while a negative correlation existed between the percentage of six-sided cells and ECD.
Conclusions:
- Children exhibit high endothelial cell density.
- High ECD in children does not equate to a high proportion of hexagonal endothelial cells.
- Corneal endothelial cell morphology in children shows specific characteristics that differ from adults.
Aim:
To assess uniformity of the corneal endothelial cell mosaic in children.
Methods:
36 healthy children (5-11 years old, 16 boys, 20 girls) were assessed by specular microscopy. Endothelial cell density (ECD) was calculated from measured cell areas, and the number of sides/cell noted.
Results:
Average values for ECD and cell areas were 3987 cells/mm(2) (95% CI 3806 to 4168 cells/mm(2)) and 278 (SD 85) mm(2) respectively, with normal distribution (COV 28. 2%, range 17.4 to 39.2%) and with the average percentage of six sided cells being 66.6% (8.8%). Cell area was positively correlated to number of cell sides (p <0.01, r(2)=0.993), but the percentage of six sided cells was negatively correlated to ECD (p <0.01, r=0.493).
Conclusion:
A high ECD occurs in children, but this does not mean there is a high percentage of "hexagons".