The effects of blunt trauma and cataract surgery on corneal endothelial cell density

Abstract

Purpose:This study was designed to investigate the effects of trauma and cataract surgery on corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) in patients with a traumatic cataract due to blunt trauma without globe laceration.Materials and Methods:In this prospective study, 31 subjects with traumatic cataract (traumatic cataract group) and 30 subjects with a senile cataract (control group) were enrolled. The subjects with traumatic cataract were subdivided into two groups: uncomplicated surgery subgroup (n = 19) in which subjects underwent standard phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and complicated surgery subgroup (n = 12) in which subjects underwent cataract surgery other than standard phacoemulsification. The ECD of the traumatic cataract group and the control group was compared preoperatively and at 3 months or later postoperatively. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The ECD in the eyes with traumatic cataract was 13.1% lower than that for healthy eyes preoperatively (P = 0.043). Postsurgical ECD decreased by 16.7% in complicated surgery subgroup and 11.9% in uncomplicated surgery subgroup (P = 0.049) after 3 months postoperatively. The ECD decreased by 10.8% in the control group (P = 0.489).Conclusions:Patients with cataracts due to blunt trauma had a decreased endothelial cell count, which was significantly aggravated by cataract surgery. The loss of corneal endothelium cells due to surgery depends on the surgical approach.

Central Corneal Volume and Endothelial Cell Count Following Femtosecond Laser–assisted Refractive Cataract Surgery Compared to Conventional Phacoemulsification

“…Postoperative corneal swelling and endothelial cell loss are related to many factors, including phacoemulsifi cation time and energy, cataract density, corneal pathology, anterior chamber depth, axial length, ocular trauma, free radical development, mechanical and heat injury, phacoemulsifi cation technique, experience of the surgeon, and use of viscoelastic material. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Corneal swelling can be determined by many techniques, including ultrasound or optical pachymetry, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT), or Scheimpfl ug imaging. 14,15 Using the Pentacam HR (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) as a three-dimensional method for evaluating the whole anterior segment adds the capability of measuring central corneal volume within a 3-mm area.…”

Effects of Artisan aphakic intraocular lens on central corneal thickness and intra ocular pressure in pediatric eyes with crystalline subluxated lenses

“…Decrease in corneal ECD takes place due to cataract surgery. [11] Risk factors for reduced ECD before cataract surgery is influenced by many factors, including pre-operative IOP. [12] These studies do not provide the effects on CCT.…”

Preoperative photocoagulation reduces corneal endothelial cell damage after vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

“…Corneal endothelial cells are nonregenerating hexagonal cells that have an important role in maintaining corneal transparency, [ 7 ] but are subject to damage by surgical trauma such as in cataract surgery [ 8 , 9 ] and excimer laser keratorefractive surgery. [ 10 ] Diabetes is putatively associated with structural and functional changes in the corneal endothelial cell.…”