J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1987 Apr;28(2):293-297.

Endothelial Cell Loss in Penetrating Keratoplasty

• Kang SM
• Kim MS
• Kim JH

Abstract

Corneal clarity following PPKP (Partial penetrating keratoplasty) depends on the maintenance of healthy population of endothelial cells in the transplanted cornea. If total cell loss is too great, irreversible corneal edema may result, although the critical cell density below which edema occurs is not well known. Quantitative specular endothelial microscopy was performed on 32 donor corneas before operation and at 3 months and 12 months following PPKP. The central endothelial density of these corneas had decreased by 18.41% at three months after operation and by 42.32% at the end of one year.

MeSH Terms

Cell Count
Cornea
Corneal Edema
Edema
Endothelial Cells*
Humans
Keratoplasty, Penetrating*
Microscopy
Tissue Donors