Corneal Endothelial Density in High Myopes

Low endothelial counting was occasionally encountered among the high myopes in clinical practice. We design this study to see whether the corneal endothelial density is different in high myopes. Fifty high myopic eyes (refractive power above -8 D) and thirty control group eyes (emmetropia or refractive power below-3D) were enrolled in this study. Their age ranges from 15 to 25 years with a mean of 20.8 years. Subjects with any other ocular disease or previous contact lens wearing were excluded. We examine their refraction, corneal curvature, corneal size, corneal surface area, axial length, and endothelial cell density. The results show significant difference in corneal radius and axial length between high myopic and control group, but not in corneal size, corneal surface area and endothelial cell density. Meanwhile, decreased endothelial density (below or equal to 2300 cells/mm^2) is found in 7 eyes (14%) of high myopic groups.