Reassessment of the corneal endothelial cell organisation in children

Abstract

Aim. To assess uniformity of the corneal endothelial cell mosaic in children. Methods. 36 healthy children (5-11 years old, 16 boys, 20 girls) were assessed by specular microscopy. Endothelial cell density (ECD) was calculated from measured cell areas, and the number of sides/cell noted. Results. Average values for ECD and cell areas were 3987 cells/mm2 (95% CI 3806 to 4168 cells/mm2) and 278 (SD 85) μm2 respectively, with normal distribution (COV 28.2%, range 17.4 to 39.2%) and with the average percentage of six sided cells being 66.6% (8.8%). Cell area was positively correlated to number of cell sides (p < 0.01, r2 = 0.993), but the percentage of six sided cells was negatively correlated to ECD (p < 0.01, r = 0.493). Conclusion. A high ECD occurs in children, but this does not mean there is a high percentage of 'hexagons'.