Evaluation of corneal endothelial cell loss following vitrectomy with different endotamponades.

Context: Ensuring functional corneal endothelium is imperative for achieving optimal surgical outcomes following successful vitreoretinal surgery. Despite the critical role of the corneal endothelium in postoperative recovery, limited research has addressed endothelial cell damage specifically attributed to vitreoretinal procedures. This knowledge gap necessitates further investigations to better understand the potential loss of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) associated with vitreoretinal surgery.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of vitreoretinal surgery on CECs by using different endotamponading agents.

Settings and design: Prospective, nonrandomized, comparative, and observational study.

Subjects and methods: Patients (n = 32) were divided into three groups: C3F8 gas (Group A), silicone oil (Group B), and Ringer Lactate (Group C). Corneal endothelial parameters including, the corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), average cell area (AVG), coefficient of variation (CV), central corneal thickness (CCT), and percentage of hexagonal cells (HEX) were assessed preoperatively, at 1 month, and 3 month postsurgery.

Statistical analysis used: SPSS software version 16.0, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Wilcoxon, and Chi-square tests were used. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: Significant differences in the changes in ECD and CCT were observed between the groups (P > 0.05). However, AVG, CV and HEX were not significantly different between the groups. No significant differences in the changes in endothelial cell parameters were noted between phakic and pseudophakic eyes.

Conclusions: CEC damage following vitrectomy with different endotamponades is a crucial consideration in vitreoretinal surgery. Vitreoretinal surgeons must carefully weigh the benefits and risks associated with different tamponade agents to safeguard corneal health in vitreoretinal surgeries.