Background: The possible endothelial damage induced by photorefractive keratectomy was investigated in myopic eyes.
Methods: A morphometric analysis of the endothelial cells was performed in 19 patients before and 2 months after photorefractive keratectomy for the correction of various degrees of myopia. Central ultrasonic pachometry was also recorded at the same examination times.
Results: No significant changes (p = .816) of the endothelial cell density were found between preoperative and postoperative measurements. The pleomorphic index did not show any significant changes after treatment (p = .955). Central corneal thickness was reduced to a various extent (range from 50 microns to 250 microns) according to the amount of myopic correction intended.
Conclusions: Our preliminary data suggest that photorefractive keratectomy for the correction of myopia does not induce endothelial cell damage, at least in the short term.