Objective:

Compare the results of morphological and morphometric parameters of the corneal endothelium using specular microscopy with manual and automated counting.

Methods:

A cross-sectional observational descriptive study was conducted of a case series of adults without corneal alterations attending the Refractive Surgery Service at Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology from January 2019 to January 2020. A total 50 adults were studied (100 eyes: 50 right and 50 left). Percentages and absolute numbers were used to summarize qualitative variables, whereas quantitative variables were evaluated with means and standard deviations.

Results:

Of the patients studied, 46% were female and 54% were male. Morphometric parameters such as central pachymetry were the same in both countings. Automated counting yielded higher endothelial density values. Morphological parameters showed that hexagonality was greater in manual counting, whereas the coefficient of variability was greater in automated counting. The most obvious differences were observed in minimum size, maximum size and average corneal endothelial cells, with variations between the two countings.

Conclusions:

It was shown that both manual and automated counting may be used for examination of the corneal endothelium in ophthalmic practice.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )