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Evaluation of the corneal endothelium after hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis
Yoshiaki Nawa1, Tetsuo Ueda, Kozo Masuda
1Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan. ynawa@naramed-u.ac.jp
Purpose:
To evaluate corneal endothelial changes after hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) considering overestimation and underestimation of the cell count measurement.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan.
Methods:
The data were from the clinical trial of the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser for hyperopic LASIK. The mean correction was 3.59 diopters (D) +/- 1.54 (SD) (range 2.0 to 6.0 D). Using noncontact specular microscopy, the corneal endothelial changes in 25 eyes of 15 patients who had hyperopic LASIK were measured. Follow-up ranged from 6 months (n = 25) to 1 year (n = 21). The overestimation and underestimation of the corneal endothelial cell count that would occur after +5.0 D hyperopic LASIK was hypothetically calculated.
Results:
The measured endothelial cell count per 1.0 mm(2) did not significantly decrease up to 1 year after hyperopic LASIK (preoperatively, 2508 +/- 395; at 1 year, 2814 +/- 349). The hypothetical calculation revealed that a +5.0 D hyperopic correction corresponded to a 0.1% underestimation of the corneal endothelial cell count.
Conclusions:
Underestimation of the corneal endothelial cell count after hyperopic LASIK was negligible. Hyperopic LASIK with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser did not significantly decrease corneal endothelial cells up to 1 year after surgery.