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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Development of a Noninvasive, Laser-Assisted Experimental Model of Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss
Published on: April 24, 2020
Endothelial decompensation following epithelial LASIK with loss of epithelial flap
Sameer Kaushal1, Gaurav Prakash, Namrata Sharma
1Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Purpose:
To report a case that showed endothelial decompensation after epithelial LASIK (epi-LASIK).
Methods:
A 23-year-old woman underwent epi-LASIK surgery to correct refractive error of -4.00 -3.00 x 165 degrees in the right eye and -2.50 -2.00 x 15 degrees in the left eye. Preoperatively, the specular count was 2896 cells/mm2 in the right eye and 3046 cells/mm2 in the left eye. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was 490 microm and 493 microm in the right and left eyes, respectively.
Results:
Examination on the first postoperative day revealed diffuse corneal edema with radiating Descemet's folds in the right eye with best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/80. Central corneal thickness was 493 microm and 373 microm in the right and left eyes, respectively, 1 week after surgery. Corneal edema resolved over a period of 3 weeks with healing of the epithelial defect. Endothelial cell count 3 weeks after surgery was 1310 cells/mm2 in the right eye.
Conclusions:
Epi-LASIK can cause significant endothelial cell loss with development of corneal edema.
