CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL PERMEABILITY AFTER IMPLANTATION OF ANGLE-FITTED ANTERIOR-CHAMBER LENSES IN MYOPIC PHAKIC EYES - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

This present study aimed to evaluate the corneal endothelium after imp lantation of angle-fixed anterior chamber lenses in myopic phakic eyes . Twelve eyes (9 patients) with high myopia (more than -14 diopters) w ere implanted with ZB5M lenses (Domilens, France). The corneal endothe lium was studied by fluorophotometry (endothelial transfer coefficient : k(c.ca)), specular microscopy and ultrasonic pachimetry. Tests were performed prior to and 3 and 6 months after the surgery. The Wilcoxon rank test was used for the statistical analysis of the data. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the preoperative k(c.ca) (4 .15 +/- 0.72 x 10(-3) min(-1)) and the k(c.ca) three months after the implantation (4.43 +/- 0.87 x 10(-3) min(-1)). A statistically signifi cant difference (p<0.01) was also found between the three and six mont hs postoperative k(c.ca) (5.31 +/- 0.81 x 10(-3) min(-1)). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the preoperative central endo thelial cell density (2533 +/- 219 cells/mm(2)) and the six months pos toperative central endothelial cell density (2385 +/- 191 cells/mm(2)) . No significant differences were found in relation to the central cor neal thickness. In conclusion, three months after the implantation of ZBSM lenses to correct high myopia in phakic eyes, the corneal endothe lial function was altered and continued to be so six months after the operation.