Open Access

Risk factors for fluctuations in corneal endothelial cell density (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Renata Vaiciuliene
    • Neda Rylskyte
    • Gabija Baguzyte
    • Vytautas Jasinskas
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 10, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.11052
  • Article Number: 129
  • Copyright: © Vaiciuliene et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The cornea is a transparent, avascular and abundantly innervated tissue through which light rays are transmitted to the retina. The innermost layer of the cornea, also known as the endothelium, consists of a single layer of polygonal endothelial cells that serve an important role in preserving corneal transparency and hydration. The average corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) is the highest at birth (~3,000 cells/mm2), which then decrease to ~2,500 cells/mm2 at adulthood. These endothelial cells have limited regenerative potential and the minimum (critical) ECD required to maintain the pumping function of the endothelium is 400‑500 cells/mm2. ECD < the critical value can result in decreased corneal transparency, development of corneal edema and reduced visual acuity. The condition of the corneal endothelium can be influenced by a number of factors, including systemic diseases, such as diabetes or atherosclerosis, eye diseases, such as uveitis or dry eye disease (DED) and therapeutic ophthalmological interventions. The aim of the present article is to review the impact of the most common systemic disorders (pseudoexfoliation syndrome, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease), eye diseases (DED, uveitis, glaucoma, intraocular lens dislocation) and widely performed ophthalmic interventions (cataract surgery, intraocular pressure‑lowering surgeries) on corneal ECD.
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

February-2022
Volume 23 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Vaiciuliene R, Rylskyte N, Baguzyte G and Jasinskas V: Risk factors for fluctuations in corneal endothelial cell density (Review). Exp Ther Med 23: 129, 2022
APA
Vaiciuliene, R., Rylskyte, N., Baguzyte, G., & Jasinskas, V. (2022). Risk factors for fluctuations in corneal endothelial cell density (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 23, 129. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.11052
MLA
Vaiciuliene, R., Rylskyte, N., Baguzyte, G., Jasinskas, V."Risk factors for fluctuations in corneal endothelial cell density (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 23.2 (2022): 129.
Chicago
Vaiciuliene, R., Rylskyte, N., Baguzyte, G., Jasinskas, V."Risk factors for fluctuations in corneal endothelial cell density (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 23, no. 2 (2022): 129. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.11052