Short-term corneal endothelial changes after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Corneal endothelial cells are crucial for maintaining corneal transparency.
• Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) is a refractive surgical procedure.
• Understanding the impact of LASEK on the corneal endothelium is important for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term effects of LASEK on corneal endothelial cell density and morphology.
• To determine the recovery timeline of the corneal endothelium after LASEK.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving 10 patients (20 eyes) undergoing LASEK for myopia.
• Corneal endothelium assessed using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and non-contact specular microscopy.
• Evaluations conducted pre-operatively and at 15 minutes, 1 day, and 1 week post-operatively.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant decrease in endothelial cell density was observed at 15 minutes post-LASEK.
• Significant changes in cell size variation and hexagonal cell percentage were noted at 15 minutes and 1 day post-operatively.
• All measured endothelial parameters returned to pre-operative baseline levels by 1 week post-LASEK.

Conclusions:

• LASEK causes immediate, transient changes in corneal endothelial cell density and morphology.
• The corneal endothelium demonstrates recovery within one week following LASEK.
• Further long-term studies are warranted to assess the enduring consequences of LASEK on the corneal endothelium.