Purpose: Does perioperative use of Rho-Kinase (ROCK) inhibitors have beneficial effect on corneal endothelial cells after phacoemulsification? SETTING: This study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh.
Design: This was a prospective study assessing the effect of ROCK inhibitors on corneal endothelium after phacoemulsification.
Methodology: Three patients have used ROCK inhibitor 1 day before and 1 week after phacoemulsification surgery, and specular microscopy and Pentacam were done preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.
Results: Endothelial cell density decreased to 11.3%, 9.45%, and 4.09% in eyes with ROCK inhibitors and 23.9% in one eye without ROCK inhibitor.
Conclusion: Perioperative ROCK inhibitor use has a possible protective effect on corneal endothelium.
Keywords: Corneal endothelium; phacoemulsification; rho-kinase inhibitors.
Copyright: © 2020 Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology.