[Morphometric changes of corneal endothelial cells in pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the corneal endothelial morphometry and central corneal thickness (CCT) in pseudoexfoliative (PEX) eyes with and without glaucoma and to compare with normal eyes and eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

METHOD: A total of 166 patients were included in this study: 36 eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS), 30 eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG), 40 eyes with POAG, and 60 normal eyes. Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV) in cell size, and percentage of hexagonal cells, were measured using a non-contact specular microscope, whereas CCT was measured with an ultrasonic pachymeter.

RESULTS

ECD and percentage of hexagonal cells were lower in PEX groups and in the POAG group compared with normal eyes, while the CV in cell size was greater. There was a tendency for greater cell loss and morphological abnormalities of the corneal endothelial cells in PXG eyes compared to PXS eyes, when all pseudoexfoliative eyes were analyzed together. Changes in endothelial cells increased with age. There were no significant differences in mean CCT between the four groups.

CONCLUSION

Endothelial cell density is significantly decreased, and pleomorphism and polymegathism of cells are increased in PEX eyes, particularly when intraocular pressure is high.