Increased Endothelial Cell Density in Childhood Patients With Thalassemia Major.

Purpose We aimed to compare specular microscopy, biometric, refractive, and anterior segment topographic parameters in children with thalassemia major (TM) with normal children of the same age. Material method This cross-sectional study included 55 eyes of 55 patients with TM and 63 eyes of 63 age-sex-matched healthy children; all patients with TM were receiving treatment with blood transfusions every 3 to 4 weeks and an oral iron chelator deferasirox (DFX) (ICL670) tablet. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed, including refraction (spherical equivalent), best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp bio microscopy, specular examination, optical biometry, intraocular pressure, anterior segment topography, and fundus examination. Results Endothelial cell density (ECD) was 3,138 in the TM group and 2,996 in the control group (P=0.003). The mean central corneal thickness was significantly thinner in the TM group (P=0.010). Flat keratometry (K1) was 43.5 D in the study group and 42.9 D in the control group (P=0.039). The mean anterior chamber depth (ACD) was shallower in the TM group (P=0.004); axial length (AL) was significantly shorter in the TM group (P=0.002). Conclusion This study shows that there are differences in ECD, AL, keratometry values, ACD, and anterior segment parameters of pediatric patients with TM compared with healthy controls.