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Abstract #15890 Published in IGR 2-3
Corneal endothelial damage after neodymium:YAG laser iridotomy
Wu S-C; Jeng S; Huang SCM; Lin S-MOphthalmic Surgery and Lasers 2000; 31: 411-416
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study examined the long-term effect of Nd:YAG laser iridotomy on the corneal endothelium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was designed. Patients with narrow and occludable angles or fellow eyes of acute angle-closure glaucoma attacks were treated with Nd:YAG laser iridotomy. For one year, 31 eyes of 21 patients underwent complete follow-up. Corneal endothelial specular microscopy was performed before and after laser iridotomy at one, three, six, and 12 months. RESULTS: The decrease of endothelial cell density after YAG laser iridotomy was statistically significant at one month (p = 0.036), six months (p = 0.004), and 12 months (p = 0.000), respectively. The decrease was not statistically significant at three months (p = 0.467). Linear regression analysis indicated no statistical correlation between the percentage change in endothelial cell density and the total energy used during the treatment (one month: p = 0.08, three months: p = 0.3, six months: p = 0.9, 12 months: p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated significant endothelial cell loss in the one-year follow-up. This result suggested that Nd:YAG laser iridotomy may pose a long-term hazard to the corneal endothelium.
Dr. S.-C. Wu, Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 199 Tun Hwa North Road, Taipei 105, Taiwan
Classification:
12.2 Laser iridotomy (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment)
