Effect of laser peripheral iridotomy using argon and neodymium-YAG lasers on corneal endothelial cell density: 7-year longitudinal evaluation

• Published in: Japanese journal of ophthalmology 2018-03, Vol.62 (2), p.216-220
• Main Authors: Ono, Takashi, Iida, Masaharu, Sakisaka, Toshihiro, Minami, Keiichiro, Miyata, Kazunori
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aluminum; Aluminum - therapeutic use; Argon; Cell Count; Cell density; Clinical Investigation; Cornea; Endothelial cells; Epithelium, Corneal - pathology; Evaluation; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure - physiopathology; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure - surgery; Humans; Iridectomy - methods; Iris - surgery; Laser Therapy - methods; Lasers; Lasers, Gas - therapeutic use; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microscopy; Middle Aged; Neodymium; Neodymium lasers; Ophthalmology; Reduction; Retrospective Studies; Semiconductor lasers; Surgery; Time Factors; YAG lasers; Yttrium; Yttrium - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0021-5155; 1613-2246
• DOI: 10.1007/s10384-018-0569-6

Purpose To evaluate the changes in corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) over a 7-year period after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) using argon and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers. Study design Retrospective case series. Methods Eyes that underwent prophylactic LPI using argon and Nd:YAG lasers were followed up for 7 years. Central corneal endothelial cells were observed by use of noncontact specular microscopy preoperatively and at 1 and 7 years postoperatively. Changes in ECD and the associations between preoperative ECD and the total energy of the Nd:YAG laser were evaluated. Results Fifty-one eyes of 51 patients were followed up for 7 years. The ECD significantly decreased after LPI ( P < 0.049), and the reduction rate at 1 year after the surgery (1.69 ± 4.80%, 95% CI: 0.34%–3.04%) was significantly higher than the annual reduction rates after 1 year (0.17 ± 0.85%/y, P = 0.036, 95% CI: -0.07% to 0.41%). No association was found between the preoperative ECD and the total laser energy. Conclusions Long-term evaluation indicated that the reduction in ECD after argon-Nd:YAG laser LPI was present but small during the initial year and was negligible after 1 year.