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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Effects of LASIK on Corneal Endothelium Using the 15-kHz IntraLase Femtosecond Laser

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PURPOSE: To assess the effects of LASIK with the 15-kHz IntraLase femtosecond laser on corneal endothelium. METHODS: In a prospective, single-center clinical trial, 138 patients (mean age: 32.0±7.1 years [range: 21 to 42 years]) underwent femtosecond LASIK for the correction of myopia −0.75 to −9.00 diopters (D) and cylinder up to 3.25 D. Patients were divided into two groups: contact lens group (n=76) and non-contact lens group (n=62). Pre- and 12-month postoperative specular microscopy of the central corneal endothelium was performed. The integrity of the central endothelium was assessed in terms of endothelial cell density and percentage of hexagonality. RESULTS: In the contact lens group, mean endothelial cell density improved significantly from 3401±292 cells/mm 2 to 3587±262 cells/mm 2 ( P <.001) with a mean increase of 5.5%. The percentage of hexagonal cells was statistically significantly higher after surgery (32.5±4.0%) compared with preoperative data (31.0±5.1%) ( P =.035). No statistically significant differences were noted regarding mean endothelial cell density ( P =.126) or hexagonality ( P =.56) before and 1 year after femtosecond LASIK in the non-contact lens group. CONCLUSIONS: Femtosecond LASIK to correct myopia was safe for the corneal endothelium. Improvement in mean endothelial cell density and percentage of hexagonality was observed in the contact lens group.