Neodymium-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Central corneal endothelial cell density.

We determined central corneal endothelial cell densities in 39 eyes in a masked fashion before and after Q-switched neodymium-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. The mean preoperative endothelial cell count was 1,840 cells per square millimeter (SD, 611 cells per square millimeter; range, 522 to 2,742 cells per square millimeter). The mean postoperative endothelial cell count was 1,798 cells per square millimeter (SD, 600 cells per square millimeter; range, 478 to 2,750 cells per square millimeter). The difference between the mean preoperative and postoperative cell density was 42 cells per square millimeter (2.3% cell loss). There was no significant correlation between central corneal endothelial cell loss and the laser energy used, pseudophakic status (posterior chamber intraocular lens vs no intraocular lens), size of capsulotomy, vitreocorneal touch, or preoperative corneal endothelial cell density.