Morphological study of corneal endothelium in patients with primary glaucoma

Objective To explore the morphological changes of corneal endothelium in patients with primary glaucoma and its clinical significance. Methods Fifty-four eyes of 32 patients with primary glaucoma and 32 eyes of 32 patients hospitalized at the same period of time without glaucoma were collected. Non-contact specular microscope was performed on the central cornea and endothelial images were analyzed by computer. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by Goldman applanation tonome-try and the central corneal thickness( CCT) by ultrasonic pachometers. Results Corneal endothelium density was significantly lower in patients with acute primary angle closure glaucoma attack (aPACG) (2 060 cells·mm-2±314 cells· mm-2) than that in con-trols(2 876 cells·mm-2 ±341 cells·mm-2) and the area of endothelium became bigger in the aPACG group than in control group (P 0. 05). The endothelium density and morphology was (2 704 ± 430) cells·mm-2 in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes and(2 806 ±253) cells·mm-2 in chronic primary angle closure glaucoma (cPACG) eyes respectively and there were no significant difference from normal group (P 0. 05). The mean CCT of aPACG group was 569. 7 μm,33.7 μm thicker than that of control group(P 0.05). There was not significant difference in mean CCT between the other two groups and control group. Conclusion There was a significant decrease in the corneal endothelial cell density and a significant increase of CCT in eyes after acute attack of angle closure glaucoma. The endothelial cell population in eyes with cPACG and primary open-angle glaucoma were not significantly different from those of the normal population.