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Oh, Chang, Kim, Moon, and Kim: The Importance of Evaluation of Corneal Endothelial Cell Count in Glaucoma Patients
Original Article
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2012; 53(1): 37-42.

Published online: 16 January 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2012.53.1.37

The Importance of Evaluation of Corneal Endothelial Cell Count in Glaucoma Patients

Tae Hoon Oh, MD, Dong Jin Chang, MD, Jae Woo Kim, MD, Jung Il Moon, MD, PhD, Hyun Seung Kim, MD, PhD

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to Hyun Seung Kim, MD, PhD. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, #62 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 150-713, Korea. Tel: 82-2-3779-1243, Fax: 82-2-761-6869, sara514@catholic.ac.kr

Received 11 December 2010       Accepted 18 October 2011

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Ophthalmological Society

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the possible causes of decreased central corneal endothelial cell count in glaucoma patients and to acknowledge the importance of central corneal endothelial cell count evaluation.

Methods

This retrospective case-control study included 60 glaucomatous eyes that were being treated with topical anti-glaucoma drugs, 30 eyes that underwent laser iridotomy or trabeculectomy, and 60 control eyes. Intraocular pressure, duration of topical anti-glaucoma medications, mean number of topical anti-glaucoma drugs, and preoperative central corneal endothelial cells were analyzed.

Results

The numbers of central corneal endothelial cells in the topical anti-glaucoma medication group, the surgical group and the control group were 2681.30 ± 355.33, 2435.57 ± 646.81 and 2822.08 ± 330.17 cells/mm2, respectively. The numbers in the topical anti-glaucoma medication group and the surgical group were significantly lower than that of the control group. The number of central corneal endothelial cells was significantly low in patients with longer duration of disease and in those taking a greater number of topical anti-glaucoma drugs (p = 0.003, p = 0.010)

Conclusions

In glaucoma patients, corneal endothelial cell count is decreased by glaucoma surgery, laser therapy, long-term or multiple topical anti-glaucoma medications. When performing cataract surgery in glaucoma patients, preoperative corneal endothelial evaluation is essential.

Keywords: Corneal endothelial cell, Glaucoma, Topical anti-glaucoma medication

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Comparison of the endothelial cell density of the control groups (n = 60), topical anti-glaucoma medication group (n = 60) and surgical group (n = 30).
jkos-53-37-g001
Figure 2
Correlation between the corneal endothelial cell density and Intraocular pressure in topical anti-glaucoma medication group (r = 0.252, p = 0.062)
jkos-53-37-g002
Figure 3
Correlation between the corneal endothelial cell density and duration of topical anti-glaucoma medication in topical anti-glaucoma medication group (r = 0.378, p = 0.003).
jkos-53-37-g003
Figure 4
Correlation between the corneal endothelial cell density and drop numberzs per a day in topical anti-glaucoma medication group (r = 0.604, p = 0.010). Drop number (dEA) is defined as a total number of drops actually instilled into the eye.
jkos-53-37-g004
Table 1
Comparison of control group and topical anti-glaucoma medication group
jkos-53-37-i001

Values are presented as mean ± SD unless otherwise indicated.

CV = coefficient of variation of the cell area; CD = corneal endothelial cell density.

*p-value was determined by unpaired t-test.

Table 2
Comparison of control group and surgical treated group
jkos-53-37-i002

Values are presented as mean ± SD unless otherwise indicated.

CV = coefficient of variation of the cell area; CD = corneal endothelial cell density; LI = laser iridotomy.

*p-value was determined by unpaired t-test compared with control group; †p-value was determined by Mann Whitney U-test compared with control group.

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