Corneal Changes in Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy After Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Cataract Surgery
Purpose
To evaluate changes in corneal thickness, clarity, and endothelial cell count in patients with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.
Methods
Corneal data was collected and analyzed from patients with mild to moderate Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. Corneal clarity was based on a slit-lamp assessment of corneal guttata prior to and after surgery. Corneal guttata were graded on a scale of 0-4, as none, trace, mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. Corneal thickness was measured using anterior segment OCT pachymetry values pre-operatively and within 1-3 months post-operatively. Endothelial cell counts were collected prior to and after surgery. Perioperative differences in corneal data were analyzed using a paired t-test.
Results
This is an ongoing study and the analysis to date includes only 3 eyes. Final results will be updated in January 2015. Corneal clarity was 2.67+/-0.29 prior to surgery and 2.83+/-0.29 after surgery, which was not significantly different (P=0.5). Mean corneal thickness was measured as 575.33+/-8.14 prior to surgery and 568+/-10.58 after surgery, also not found to be significantly different (P=0.31). Corneal endothelial cell counts are pending collection and evaluation. Final results will be compared to control eyes of patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery but without Fuchs’ dystrophy.
Conclusion
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is a viable alternative for patients with Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy and may protect endothelial cell function when compared to traditional phacoemulsification.