Specular microscopic evaluation of the corneal epithelium after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy

Nineteen eyes underwent photorefractive keratectomy to correct myopia. Using the specular microscope, we observed the central corneal epithelium of each eye preoperatively and at one, three, and six months after surgery. A normal epithelial pattern was observed in 18 eyes (94.7%) at one and three months and in 19 eyes (100%) at six months after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in the pre- and postoperative mean cell area and corresponding coefficient of variation. These results suggest that the destruction of Bowman's layer produced by photorefractive keratectomy does not affect the morphologic characteristics of the most superficial layer of the corneal epithelium.