Effect on Corneal Endothelium after Laser Surgery for Treatment of Glaucoma

Objective To observe the changes in corneal endothelium after laser surgery using 532 double-frequency laser combined with Nd ∶YAG laser for treatment of acute angle closure glaucoma.Methods Eleven cases(20 eyes)were treated by laser iridectomy. We used the 532 laser to take the prephotocoagulation on iris(light spot 300 μm, time 0.2-0.3 s, power 200-400 mW) and then chose Nd ∶YAG laser cut the laser spot thoroughly (power 1.7-5.0 mJ, monopulse 1-2 sessions).The corneal endothelium was examined before and 1 day , 1 month and 3 months after laser treatment.Results The corneal endothelial cell density and percentage of hexagonal endothelium were decreased, in the meanwhile the cell area and coefficient of variation were increased. There was significant difference between before laser surgery and 1 week and 1 month after laser surgery but there was without significant difference in corneal endothelial cell density,cell area, coefficient of variation and the percentage of hexagonal endothelium in 3 months after laser treatment.Conclusions The combined therapy could injure the corneal endothelum early but the injury recovers after 3 months.