A cross sectional study on evaluating the corneal endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness in eyes with primary glaucoma

BACKGROUND: This study aims at evaluating glaucoma-induced damage to the corneal endothelium and the effect of central corneal thickness (CCT) on the intra-ocular pressure (IOP) measurement in patients newly diagnosed with primary glaucoma. METHODS: It is a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 60 newly diagnosed primary glaucoma patients >18 years. They underwent fundus examination, four-mirror gonioscopy, and perimetry for confirming the diagnosis. Evaluation and analysis of corneal endothelial cell density and CCT were performed. Chi square test was performed to find out the association between glaucoma, corneal endothelial cell density, and CCT. RESULTS: Evaluation of 60 patients revealed that by age distribution, the corneal endothelial cell density was lower in the 51–65 year age group and an age-related decrease in corneal endothelial cell density and CCT was found in newly diagnosed primary glaucoma patients. The mean CCT was 525 micrometers in patients with IOP between 20 to 40 mm Hg and 528 micrometers in patients with IOP between 41 to 60 mm Hg. The mean corneal endothelial cell density was 2361 cells/mm(2) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and 2284 cells/mm(2) in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). The mean CCT was 525 micrometers in POAG and 528 micrometers in PACG. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal endothelial cell density was lower in patients with PACG when compared with POAG, and the average CCT showed no significant difference in POAG and PACG patients. However, CCT was increased in patients with a higher intra-ocular pressure. The corneal endothelial cell density was lower in patients with a high intra-ocular pressure.