Objective:
To determine the possibility of endothelial cell damage after excimer laser ablation.
Methods:
Endothelial cell densities and morphology of human corneas after photoablations or mechanical keratectomy were compared with those of the untreated mates after 1 week of culture with or without serum.
Results:
Corneas cultured in serum-free medium after ablation to a depth of 150 μm showed endothelial cell densities reduced to 60% of untreated, mate corneas; ultrastructural analysis showed endothelial cell damage not seen in untreated mates. Corneas ablated to the same depth and cultured in serum-enriched medium showed no endothelial cell density loss, nor did corneas cultured in serum-free medium after an ablation to a depth of 50 μm or mechanical keratectomies averaging 95 μm.
Conclusions:
Endothelial cell loss in deep laser resections may be prevented by factor(s) in fetal bovine serum. The apparent lack of cell loss in clinical studies may be related to the protective action of similar factors in aqueous humor.