EVALUATION OF CORNEAL THICKNESS AND ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS BEFORE AND AFTER EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY

BACKGROUND: The possible endothelial damage induced by photorefractive keratectomy was investigated in myopic eyes. METHODS: A morphometric analysis of the endothelial cells was performed in 19 patients before and 2 months after photorefractive keratectomy for the correction of v arious degrees of myopia. Central ultrasonic pachometry was also recor ded at the same examination times. RESULTS: No significant changes (p = .816) of the endothelial cell density were found between preoperativ e and postoperative measurements. The pleomorphic index did not show a ny significant changes after treatment (p = .955). Central corneal thi ckness was reduced to a various extent (range from 50 mum to 250 mum) according to the amount of myopic correction intended. CONCLUSIONS: Ou r preliminary data suggest that photorefractive keratectomy for the co rrection of myopia does not induce endothelial cell damage, at least i n the short term.