Corneal endothelial cell density changes after Preserflo MicroShunt implantation.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of Preserflo MicroShunt (PMS) implantation on corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) and to identify factors associated with CECD loss.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients who underwent PMS implantation, with or without combined cataract surgery, between March 2023 and April 2024, with a minimum of 12 months of postoperative follow-up. CECD was measured preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was the change in CECD after PMS implantation. Secondary analyses included linear regression to estimate annual CECD loss and logistic regression to identify factors associated with CECD reduction.

RESULTS

In total, 104 eyes (70 PMS alone, 34 combined with phacoemulsification) were included. Mean CECD (cells/mm²) in PMS-alone group and combined-with-phacoemulsification group were 2312.9±501.7 and 2615.0±365.5 at baseline, 2253.7±530.9 and 2354.4±424.6 at 3 months postoperatively, 2234.6±528.5 and 2374.6±458.9 at 6 months postoperatively and 2149.2±537.5 and 2357.6±508.7 at 12 months postoperatively, respectively. The estimated annual CECD loss was 7.3±11.9% in the PMS-alone group and 8.0±17.2% in the combined-with-phacoemulsification group (p=0.47). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that a narrower tube-cornea angle (TCA) (p=0.01) and higher preoperative IOP (p=0.04) were significantly associated with greater CECD loss.

CONCLUSIONS

PMS implantation was associated with CECD reduction over 12 months. A narrower TCA and higher preoperative intraocular pressure were significant predictors of CECD loss.