Endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification in eyes with previous penetrating keratoplasty, previous deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, or no previous surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare phacoemulsification-related endothelial cell loss in eyes with previous penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), previous deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), or no previous corneal surgery.

SETTING

Ophthalmology Clinic, Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

DESIGN

Comparative case series.

METHODS

Eyes with previous PKP (Group 1), previous DALK (Group 2), or no previous ocular surgery (Group 3) had extracapsular cataract extraction by phacoemulsification. The endothelial cell count was evaluated 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after cataract surgery.

RESULTS

Group 1 comprised 16 eyes and Group 2 and Group 3, 20 eyes each. The endothelial cell density (ECD) decreased progressively throughout the follow-up in all groups (P<.01). The amount of change in ECD was significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 and Group 3 from preoperatively to 1 month postoperatively, from 1 to 3 months postoperatively, from 3 to 6 months postoperatively, and from 6 to 12 months postoperatively (all P<.01). The changes were similar in Group 2 and Group 3 at all time points (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes with previous PKP had significantly greater endothelial cell loss than eyes with previous DALK or no previous surgery. Preservation of the patient's endothelium seems to be an advantage of DALK in terms of increasing corneal safety in future intraocular surgery.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.