Effect of Lasik on Endothelial Cell Count in Patients Treated for Myopia

Abstract

Purpose: To compare pre and postoperative endothelial cell counts in patients undergoing laser in situ keratomeliusis (LASIK) for the treatment of myopia.

Material and Methods: This hospital based descriptive study was carried out in the Corneo-refractive unit of Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust (LRBT) Eye Hospital, Lahore. Duration of the study was 6 months from 24-05-2005 to 24-11- 2005. It took 2 months for the data collection and 4 months for the follow up. 100 eyes of 50 patients underwent LASIK. Postoperative endothelial cell counts were noted after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 4 months. Statistical analysis of the data was done using computer software SPSS version 10.0.

Results: 50 patients (100 eyes) were included in this study. 64% of the patients were female and 36% were male. Mean age was 24.54 years ranging from 20- 35 years. Out of 50 patients, 29 patients (58%) had myopia between 2-5 diopters, 8 patients (16%) between 5-7 D and 13 (26%) between 8-10 D. The range of myopia was 2-10 D. Mean spherical equivalents before LASIK was - 3.95 D. Mean corneal thickness before LASIK was 515 ?m.

Conclusion: Corneal endothelial cell count was unchanged 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 4 months after the LASIK.