Evaluation of corneal endothelium after pediatric cataract surgery in children and adolescents

Introduction
to evaluate the effects of cataract extraction and lens implantation on corneal endothelium morphology.

Material and methods
In 21 eyes of 14 children with congenital or developmental cataract, corneal endothelium was studied. Patient age was 9 to 19 years (mean 12.9 years). In all eyes extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with PMMA intraocular lens implantation was performed, without primary posterior capsulotomy or anterior vitrectomy. Lens wearers, patients with traumatic cataract or external eye diseases and ocular surgery in history were excluded. The endothelium was imaged by non-contact microscope Topcon SP-2000P. This examination was done preoperatively and 1 month, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Corneal thickness (T), corneal endotheliel density (ECD) and mean cell area (AVG) of endothelial cells were examined.

Results
Mean corneal thickness was 0.55 mm after 1 month, 0.54 mm after 6 months and 0.54 mm after 12 months. The mean preoperative endothelial cell density was 3231.1 cells/mm2. ECD after 1.6 and 12 months was 2874.3; 2639.2 and 2479.9 cells/mm2 respectively. Mean endothelial cell loss was 10.94% after 1 month, 17.85% after 6 months and 22.68% after 12 months. AVG before operation was 315.8 mm2, after 1 month 355.8 mm2, after 6 months 382.4 mm2 and 399.5 mm2 after 12 months.

Conclusions
Changes in corneal endothelium morphology had no effect on transparency of the cornea.