Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Primary angle closure glaucoma suspects is one of the common causes of blindness in the world and methods of treatment are associated with side effects such as loss of corneal endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects YAG laser peripheral iridotomy on count and morphology of endothelial cells in patients with primary angle closure glaucoma suspects.

Method: In this prospective study, all 34 patients with primary angle closure glaucoma,  referring to Poustchi and Motahari clinics during 2012-2013, were exposed to YAG laser peripheral iridotomy. Central count and morphology of endothelial cells were assessed before and 3months, 6 months and 9 months after YAG laser peripheral iridotomy.   Bayesian transition and Bayesian random effects models were used for assessing of count and morphology of endothelial cells.  

Result: In this longitudinal study, 88.2% (30 patients) of patients were female and 11.8% (4 patients) were male and mean (±sd) of  their age were 53.41±7.903 years. None of the variables had significant effect on morphology of endothelial cells and only variable age had significant effect on count of endothelial cells.

Discussion: The results showed that the number and morphology of corneal epithelial cells of primary angle closure glaucoma suspects patients has no detrimental effect by YAG laser peripheral iridotomy and can be used as a prophylactic procedure with minimal side effects in these patients.