Corneal endothelial cell density decreases with age in emmetropic eyes

Summary. Purpose: To analyze the corneal endothelial cell density in healthy adult emmetropic subjects. Methods: We analyzed the corneal endothelial cell density of a group made up of 225 emmetropic subjects (n=225). As age-matched control groups we analyzed two other groups, one made up of myopic subjects (n=209) and the other made up of hyperopic subjects (n=203). We recorded the mean of three consecutive measurements of the corneal endothelial cell density using the Topcon SP-2000P non-contact specular microscope (Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan). Results: The mean age was 38.6±11.8 years, 40.7±12.2 years, and 39.2±10.5 years for emmetropic, myopic and hyperopic subjects respectively (p=0.994). No significant differences (p=0.920) in endothelial cell density values were found between emmetropic (2985±245 cells/mm 2 ), myopic (2936±258 cells/mm 2 ) and hyperopic eyes (2946±253 cells/mm 2 ). Lower corneal endothelial cell density values were found in older emmetropic (p<0.001), myopic (p<0.001), and hyperopic subjects (p<0.001). A significant correlation between endothelial cell density and age was found in emmetropic (r= -0.958; p<0.001), myopic (r= -0.954; p<0.001) and hyperopic subjects (r= -0.948; p<0.001). Conclusions: In healthy emmetropic subjects there is a reduction in corneal endothelial cell density with age although there are no differences in corneal endothelial cell density values between emmetropic, myopic and hyperopic subjects.