METHODS: Healthy soft CL wearers were invited to participate in this study. Visual acuity (VA) was measured using the Snellen chart, and subjective refraction was performed using cross-cylinder technique. Standard ocular assessments were conducted using a slit lamp biomicroscope and morphology of corneal endothelial cells (endothelial cell density, ECD, coefficient variation, COV, hexagonality, HEX and central corneal thickness, CCT) were evaluated using a non-contact specular microscope. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA and data from the right eye only is included.
RESULTS: A total of 72 subjects (32 SiHy and 40 HCL wearers) and 24 non-CL wearers (control) participated in this study. The gender distribution for study subjects was 13 males and 59 females, with a mean age 22.15 ± 1.84 years old. The mean refraction was -1.86 ± 1.25DS. The duration of wearing CL ranged from 1 to 9 years. Subjects were later divided into 2 groups following duration of CL wear: Group 1 (<5 years) and Group 2 (≥5 years) for analysis purposes. Statistical analysis showed significant alterations in ECD, COV and HEX of CL wearers (p corneal endothelial cells. Contact lens material and duration of CL wear (in years) are factors that affect the alterations. Optometrists are recommended to regularly evaluate the morphology of corneal endothelial cells in CL wearers and provide necessary intervention when required.
DESIGN: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.
METHODS: This study comprised 295 patients who were randomized into the intracameral (ICM) mydriatic group or topical mydriatic group. Central corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), and percentage of hexagonal cells were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 3 months with specular microscope.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in endothelial cell density and endothelial cell loss between the topical and ICM mydriatic groups. At 3 months, the mean endothelial cell density in the ICM group was 2129.76 ± 423.53 cells/mm2 and 2100.54 ± 393.00 cells/mm2 in the topical group (P = 0.539). The endothelial cell loss was 18.60 ± 12.79% in the IC M group and 19.44 ± 11.24% in the topical group (P = 0.550). No significant difference was seen in the percentage of hexagonal cells and coefficient of variation of patients between the 2 groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Intracameral phenylephrine was not associated with increased risk of postoperative endothelial cell loss or morphological changes. It can be safely injected into the anterior chamber for pupil dilatation before phacoemulsification cataract surgery.