Changes in Central Corneal Thickness and Endothelial Cell Count after Lasik

Abstract

This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Authors SHK and STQ conceived of the study and participated in its design. Author SN participated in the design of the study. Author AN participated in the study design and coordination. Author KK performed the statistical analyses. All approved the final manuscript. Purpose: To Results: The mean age of the patients was 26.9±4.71 years (range 19 to 36 years). The study included 30(56.6%) males and 23(43.4%) females. A total of 100 eyes were operated.47 patients underwent LASIK in both eyes while only one eye was operated in 6 patients. At the end of 3 months, the mean spherical equivalent of refraction was -0.24±0.369 compared to a preoperative mean of -4.81±2.053. The preoperative central corneal thickness ranged from 442 to 590 microns with a mean of 515.7 microns ± 36.4 and endothelial cell count ranged from 2365 to 3578 cells per mm 2 with a mean of 2874.6 cells per mm 2 ± 225.14. At 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after LASIK, mean CCT was recorded as 414.5±48.5, 406.7±47.9, 411.3±48.1 and 418.3±48 respectively. No significant correlation was found between age, refractive error and mean CCT. The mean endothelial cell count was recorded as 2867.1±218.14, 2865.6±212.64, 2864.8±207.64 and 2861.3±201.48 at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after LASIK. Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in central corneal thickness in the immediate postoperative period. It continued to decline till 1 week after the surgery and then increased over time in the late postoperative period. However no significant change was observed in endothelial cell counts in the postoperative period.