Corneal Endothelial Layer Parameters in Patients Undergoing Strabismus Surgery.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Science
• Strabismus Surgery

Background:

• Corneal endothelial cells are vital for maintaining corneal clarity.
• Strabismus surgery aims to correct eye alignment but may impact ocular structures.
• Understanding the effects of strabismus surgery on the corneal endothelium is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of horizontal and oblique strabismus surgery on the corneal endothelial cell layer.
• To assess changes in endothelial cell density, morphology, and corneal thickness post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• Prospective evaluation of 83 eyes from 56 patients undergoing strabismus surgery.
• Specular microscopy (EM-3000) used for corneal endothelial cell analysis preoperatively and at set postoperative intervals (1 day, 2 weeks, 2 months).
• Key parameters analyzed: endothelial cell density, coefficient of variation, average cell area, standard deviation of cell area, hexagonality, and central corneal thickness (CCT).

Main Results:

• Horizontal strabismus surgery showed a temporary decrease in corneal hexagonality at 2 weeks postoperatively.
• Central corneal thickness (CCT) was temporarily elevated 1 day after horizontal muscle surgery.
• No significant changes in endothelial cell parameters were observed following oblique strabismus surgery.
• Age was correlated with decreased endothelial cell density and hexagonality, and increased cell area.

Conclusions:

• Horizontal strabismus surgery has a transient effect on corneal hexagonality and thickness.
• Age-related changes in corneal endothelium include reduced cell density and increased cell area.
• Oblique strabismus surgery did not demonstrate significant effects on the corneal endothelium in this study.