Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Development of a Noninvasive, Laser-Assisted Experimental Model of Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss
Published on: April 24, 2020
Corneal endothelial cell density in patients receiving chemotherapy
Shawn P Gallagher1, Barton L Halpern2, Shanthi Sivendran3,4
1Department of Psychology, Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Millersville, PA, USA.
Purpose:
This study aimed to determine if the corneal endothelium was affected by chemotherapy.
Methods:
Chemotherapy patients were recruited to undergo specular microscopy before treatment and again at 1- and 2-year follow-up visits. One eye per patient, per follow-up, was selected for comparison to baseline.
Results:
Forty-six volunteers completed baseline and at least one follow-up assessment. From 51 eyes, there was no significant change in endothelial cell density for 41 eyes assessed at one year (M = 0.73%, 95% CI -1.33 to 2.78%) and 18 eyes at two years (M = 0.31%, 95% CI -3.53 to 4.15%).
Conclusion:
Although other studies have shown that chemotherapy can adversely affect the corneal epithelium, this study showed no measurable change in endothelial cell density.
