[The function of corneal endothelium after penetrating keratoplasty as measured with fluorophotometry]

Abstract

The aim of the study was to calculate the corneal endothelial permeability (Pac) 12 and 18 months after penetrating keratoplasty in patients (aged 42-60 years) with very good prognosis for graft clarity (10 eyes with pseudophakic and 4 eyes with aphakic bullous keratopathy; 6 eyes with keratoconus; 2 eyes with granular dystrophy; 6 eyes with central inactive scars; 1 eye with early central Fuchs' dystrophy). The normal eyes (10 eyes) served as control group in persons aged 40-65 years. Each operated eye was submitted to fluorophotometry of the anterior segment with measurement of corneal endothelial permeability (Fluorotron Master, Coherent) 12 and 18 months after the surgery. The cornea thickness measurement and endothelial cell counting were performed by specular microscopy with pachymeter 12 and 18 months after penetrating keratoplasty in cases with very good prognosis for graft clarity. The mean values of Pac: 4.48 x 10(-4) +/- 1.24 cm/min after 12 months were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the control group (3.61 x 10(-4) + 0.51 cm/min). Neither significant changes in corneal thickness nor endothelial cell density were noted as a result of surgery. The calculation of Pac in a late period after penetrating keratoplasty revealed a stable partial exhaustion of the corneal endothelium function in cases with good prognosis for graft clarity.