CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELL CHANGES IN PSEUDOEXFOLIATION SYNDROME AFTER CATARACT-SURGERY

Objective: To characterize possible differences in endothelial cell ch anges after cataract surgery in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndro me (PSX). Methods: In this prospective, age-matched, controlled clinic al study, 25 consecutive patients with PSX and 25 control patients wit h senile cataracts only were studied. All patients were treated with s tandardized cataract surgery. Sequential quantitative and qualitative morphometric endothelial cell analyses of the central and paracentral cornea were performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 day, 4 w eeks, and 6 months using noncontact specular microscopy. Results: Preo perative endothelial cell counts were 9.9% (P<.05) lower in patients w ith PSX (2387+/-266 cells/ mm(2)) than in controls (2648+/-349 cells/m m(2)). The mean endothelial cell loss was 11.1% in the PSX group and 1 0.3% (P<.001 for both) in the control group, with no intergroup differ ences after 6 months. The mean endothelial cell area increased in both groups. Also, qualitative analysis revealed no significant difference s in the endothelial repair mechanisms. Conclusions: Endothelial cell density is reduced preoperatively in patients with PSX compared With a ge-matched controls. In patients with PSX, cataract surgery induced si milar endothelial cell changes without increased endothelial cell loss postoperatively.