Corneal endothelial cell density in patients receiving chemotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if the corneal endothelium was affected by chemotherapy.

Methods: Chemotherapy patients were recruited to undergo specular microscopy before treatment and again at 1- and 2-year follow-up visits. One eye per patient, per follow-up, was selected for comparison to baseline.

Results: Forty-six volunteers completed baseline and at least one follow-up assessment. From 51 eyes, there was no significant change in endothelial cell density for 41 eyes assessed at one year (M_D = 0.73%, 95% CI -1.33 to 2.78%) and 18 eyes at two years (M_D = 0.31%, 95% CI -3.53 to 4.15%).

Conclusion: Although other studies have shown that chemotherapy can adversely affect the corneal epithelium, this study showed no measurable change in endothelial cell density.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; corneal endothelium; corneal epithelium; ocular toxicology.