[Further studies on the functional decompensation of corneal endothelial cells]

30 cases of corneal endothelial decompensation occurred in 241 transparent grafts of penetrating keratoplasty during a 5-year follow-up with the specular photomicroscope. The study indicated that the critical cell density for corneal endothelial decompensation was 786/mm2; the critical cell dimension as represented by the sum of mean maximal and minimal diagonal was 35.43 microns; and the critical difference between the mean maximal and minimal diagonal was 14.70 microns. When these three criteria all approximated the critical values, the endothelium was regarded as in a predecompensation state that heralded impending endothelial decompensation. Therefore, these values may be regarded as a reference standard for diagnosing early stage endothelial decompensation.