[Clinical significance of age-related regional differences in distribution of human corneal endothelium].

In 30 donor corneas (age of donors 19-91 years), a total of 1,560,812 cells were counted following supravital endothelial staining in order to map cell distribution. This statistical material was analyzed in the present study in order to determine the following parameters for each cornea: total cell count, mean cell density, central cell density and maximum cell density. These parameters were plotted against the ages of the donors and a regression analysis was performed. A significant decrease (p = 0.001), of an average of 1582 cells per cornea and year was found. Mean cell density and central cell density decreased on average by 16 cells per mm2 and year, while maximum peripheral cell density only decreased by 14 cells per mm2 and year. There was a positive difference, practically unrelated to age, between maximum peripheral cell density minus central cell density, averaging 1374 cells per mm2. This finding makes it appear improbable that there is any recompensation of central age-related cell loss from the peripheral region of high cell density. Irrespective of age, a mean difference of 140 cells per mm2 was found between mean cell density minus central cell density. In regard to clinical specular endothelial microscopy this means that the approximate average cell density of the entire cornea can be deduced from the cell density determined at its center.