The endothelial cell density after cataract surgery in young patients.

The central corneal endothelium was photographed with a specular microscope in 14 patients in the age range 7 to 31 years, who, at the age of 3 to 22 years, had been cataract operated due to a congenital cataract. Mean endothelial cell density (+/- SD) of operated (n = 20) and unoperated (n = 8) eyes was 2479 (+/- 490) and 3140 (+/- 188) cells/mm(2), respectively (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that, like in older patients, healing of the endothelial layer in young patients does not involve cell proliferation to the extent of complete restoration of the cell density. The significance of these findings is discussed.