Long-term follow-up of changes in corneal endothelium after primary and secondary intraocular lens implantations in children

Abstract

Background: To evaluate long-term changes in corneal endothelial cell count and morphology after congenital cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.

Methods: Cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed on 54 congenital cataract patients (83 eyes). The corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), hexagonality, and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured for a retrospective analysis of long-term changes in corneal endothelial characteristics.

Results: The mean age at the time of IOL implantation was 5.00 (3.62) years [mean (SD)], and the mean follow-up period was 8.83 (1.49) years. In a comparison of the treated and normal eyes of patients who underwent unilateral surgery, the treated eyes showed a significantly greater CCT (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in ECD, CV, and hexagonality (p > 0.05). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the ECD and CCT between the primary and secondary IOL implantation groups.

Conclusions: Our results did not show any significant corneal endothelial cell loss in congenital cataract patients; however, their CCTs were increased.