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Central corneal endothelial cell density after argon laser trabeculoplasty
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|September 1, 1984
Summary
Specular microscopy revealed no significant changes in endothelial cell counts or corneal thickness after argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) for primary open-angle glaucoma. This suggests ALT is safe for corneal endothelium in glaucoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Science
- Glaucoma Research
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a common surgical intervention for managing POAG.
- The safety of ALT on the corneal endothelium requires ongoing investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of ALT on corneal endothelial cell density and pachymetry.
- To assess the safety of ALT concerning the corneal endothelium in POAG patients.
Main Methods:
- Specular microscopy was utilized for endothelial cell counts and pachymetry.
- 16 patients with bilateral POAG underwent ALT in 20 eyes.
- Untreated fellow eyes (11 patients) served as controls.
- Measurements were taken pre-ALT and at one and four months post-ALT.
Main Results:
- Pre-treatment endothelial cell densities were normal in all POAG eyes and control eyes.
- No statistically significant differences in endothelial cell density or pachymetry were observed between treated and control eyes post-ALT.
Conclusions:
- Argon laser trabeculoplasty does not appear to cause significant short-term adverse effects on the corneal endothelium.
- Specular microscopy is a valuable tool for monitoring corneal health after glaucoma surgery.