J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1998 May;39(5):918-924.

The Effect of Phacoemulsification on the Corneal Endothelium in Diabetic Patients

• Park SL
• Oh TH
• Moon NJ

Abstract

We compared the structural and functional corneal endothelial changes between patients with non-proliferative retinopathy and age-matched nondiabetic patients after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation. Endothelial cell density was calculated preoperatively, and postoperative 4, 8 weeks by specular microscopy. Fluorophotometry to check corneal endothelial barrier function was underwent preoperatively and at postoperative 4 days. Preoperatively, no significant difference in corneal endothelial cell density and corneal endothelial permeability coefficient was noted between diabetic patients and age-matched non-diabetic patients. But the mean increase of corneal endothelial permeability coefficient at 4 days after surgery was 118.13% in diabetic patients and 61.88% in nondiabetic patients (P<0.05). The mean endothelial cell loss at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery were 10. 29%, 12.55% in diabetic patients and 7.05%, 9.39% in non-diabetic patients.(P<0.05)

MeSH Terms

Endothelial Cells
Endothelium, Corneal*
Fluorophotometry
Humans
Microscopy
Permeability
Phacoemulsification*