Purpose:
To determine changes in corneal endothelium after penetrating keratoplasty.
Methods:
Thirty-two patients who had penetrating keratoplasty were included in the study. The preoperative corneal endothelial cell numbers were calculated with specular microscopy. The postoperative changes in corneal endothelial cells were detected with confocal microscopy.The presence of glaucoma, cataract and the other complications were recorded.
Results:
The mean endothelial cell number of donors were 2886.28±436. Postoperatively, the mean endothelial cell numbers were 2496.23±440, 2291±420, 2189±468 at 2 months, 6 months and 12 months respectively.The endothelial cell loss was % 23.6 at 12 months postoperatively. The endothelial cell variation and hexagonality did not change after the surgery. The accompanying surgeries did not have an effect on corneal endothelial cell numbers.
Discussion:
The endothelial cell loss is inevitable after penetrating keratoplasty. Preoperative risc factors should be determined before the surgery. Surgical trauma should be minimalized during the surgery. Closer examinations may increase the survival rate and prevent the rejections.
Keywords: Penetrating keratoplasty, endothelial cell, glacouma