To evaluate long-term corneal endothelium damages after myopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) a morphometric analysis of corneal endothelial cells was performed in 41 patients before and at least 24 months after photorefractive keratectomy These patients underwent a treatment ranging from –2.5 to –14 dpt with a mean of 8.9 ± 2.8 dpt at the corneal apex, with an estimated corneal thinning ranging from 23 to 123 µm with a mean of 78 ± 24.4 µm. Our results showed that the density of endothelial cells ranged from 2,334 to 3,554/mm2 with a mean of 2,819 ± 351/mm2 before surgery, and from 2,051 to 3,461/mm2 with a mean of 2,774 ± 330/mm2 after surgery without any significant changes (p = 0.16). The polymorphic index ranged from 58 to 84 with a mean of 77 ± 5.7 before PRK and from 57 to 89 with a mean of 77.7 ± 7.2 after treatment without any significant changes (p = 0.61). In conclusion, we can state that there is no long-term corneal endothelial damage after PRK even in highly myopic eyes.

Keywords:
Corneal endothelium, Excimer laser, Photorefractive keratectomy, Contact lenses
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© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
1997
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