Effect of a previous acute angle closure attack on the corneal endothelial cell density in chronic angle closure glaucoma patients

Abstract

PURPOSE: To document the effect of a previous acute angle closure attack on the corneal endothelial cell density in chronic angle closure glaucoma (CACG) patients. METHODS: Consecutive cases of CACG with patent peripheral iridotomy had their central corneal endothelial cell density measured by specular microscopy. The corneal endothelial cell density of those CACG eyes with a previous documented acute angle closure attack were compared with those eyes without such a history, to determine the effect of a previous acute angle closure attack on corneal endothelial cell density. RESULTS: From July 2003 to July 2005, a total of 52 CACG eyes of 52 patients fulfilling the study criteria were recruited. Thirteen eyes (25%) had a previous documented acute angle closure attack, whereas 39 eyes (75%) did not. The mean central corneal endothelial cell density ±1 standard deviation was 2271.7±312.9 (range, 1556 to 2661) cells/mm in those CACG eyes with previous acute angle closure, and 2570.0±429.9 (range, 1669 to 3861) cells/mm in those CACG eyes without previous acute angle closure (P<0.05, Student t test). A previous acute angle closure attack in a CACG eye correlates with a 11.6% reduction in corneal endothelial cell density, compared with a CACG eye without such a history. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in age, LogMAR visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number of glaucoma eye drops, vertical cup-to-disk ratio, mean deviation or pattern standard deviation in Humphrey automated perimetry (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A previous acute angle closure attack correlates with a significantly reduced corneal endothelial cell density in CACG patients. © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.