To investigate quantitative and morphometric endothelial changes in phakic eyes implanted with an iris-fixed phakic intraocular lens in Korean patients.

We prospectively examined the endothelial cell density (ECD), ECD loss (ECL), coefficient variations (CV), and frequency of Hexagons (6A) in 46 phakic eyes implanted with an iris-fixed phakic intraocular lens. The effect of anterior chamber depth (ACD) and diopter of iris-fixed phakic intraocular lens on ECD was statistically analyzed.

Preoperative mean ECD was 2923±257 cells/mm². ECL at postoperative 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 monthswas 0.71%, 0.88%, 0.70%, 0.64%, and 2.34%. It was significant only in the month 24 results. The mean CV value at the same time was 0.343, 0.342, 0.334, 0.329, 0.326, and 0.338. The change was significant at the 12th month. The mean 6A value at the same time was 58.2%, 57.8%, 59.7%, 59.6%, 60.1%, and 58.8%. There was no significant change in 6A value. Preoperative ACD and diopter of iris-fixed phakic intraocular lens didn't affect the ECD change.

This two-year follow-up study of changes in endothelial cells after implantation iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens showed statistically significant decreases in the cells, which is not very significant considering the physiologic reduction rate of the cells. Thses decreases showed a tendency to be stabilized with recovery of morphological changes. Further long-term follow-up is needed to determine its long-lasting effect.