Purpose: To investigate endothelial change in phakic eyes implanted with Artisan phakic IOL inserts and identify the associated factors.
Methods: We prospectively examined the endothelial change in 11 phakic eyes implanted with Artisan phakic IOL inserts. Noncontact specular microscopy was performed preoperatively, and at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively.
Results: The mean endothelial cell loss was 3.57% at 1 week, and 4.69% at 1 month. There was a statistically significant decrease in endothelial cell density and an increase in pleomorphism and polymegathism of cells after the surgery which indicate cellular damage (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant changes endothelial cell density, shape, or size between 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (p>0.05).
correlation was observed between cell loss and corneal curvature, critical distance, IOL optic size, diopter, or serial order of the operation. However, there was significant negative correlation (R=-7.600;0.05) between cell loss and anterior chamber depth.
Conclusions: Endothelial damage occurred primarily during the surgical procedure and special attention should be given to patients with shallow anterior chamber depth for iris-fixed phakic IOL inserts to avoid unintended endothelial damage.