Corneal endothelial cell density in glaucoma.

Purpose: We studied corneal endothelial cell density in patients with glaucoma.

Methods: One hundred two patients with glaucoma were compared with 52 patients without glaucoma of the same age group. Exclusion criteria included history of either corneal disease, ocular inflammation, trauma, or surgery other than peripheral iridectomy. The following data were extracted from the patient files: glaucoma type and duration, laser treatments, glaucoma medications, and documented intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements. Specular microscopies were performed on central corneas, endothelial images were analyzed by computerized planimetry, and cell counts were calculated.

Results: Corneal endothelial cell counts were significantly lower in patients with glaucoma (2,154 +/- 419 cells/mm2) than in controls (2,560 +/- 360 cells/mm2; t test, p < 0.0001). In the glaucoma group, cell counts were inversely proportional to the means of IOPs. Patients receiving three or four glaucoma medications had lower cell counts than those receiving one or two medications. Cell counts were significantly lower both in primary angle-closure glaucoma and in primary open-angle glaucoma.

Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with glaucoma may have lower corneal endothelial cell density than those without glaucoma of the same age group. The proposed mechanisms are direct damage from IOP, congenital alteration of the corneal endothelium in patients with glaucoma, glaucoma medication toxicity, or a combination of these.