Corneal Endothelial Cell Density and Morphology in Nigerians

AIM: To determine the mean density and describe the morphology of corneal endothelial cells in adult Nigerians in Port Harcourt.

Study Design: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration: A study conducted among adult Nigerians aged ≥ 18 years in Port Harcourt city Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria between January and April 2014.

Methodology: Participants were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling technique. An interviewer-based semi-structured questionnaire was administered to obtain demographic data. All participants had ocular examinations done including visual acuity measurement, anterior segment examination, fundoscopy, and non-contact specular microscopy.

Results: Four hundred and eighty (n=480) subjects were studied. There were 212 males (44.2%) and 268 females (55.8%) with a mean age of 43.0±14.2 years and range 18-91 years. The mean Endothelial Cell Density (ECD) was 2791±221 cells/mm2. Males had a tendency to have a higher ECD (2882±220 cells/mm2) than females (2784±215 cells/mm2, p=0.490) in ages less than 40 years.

Conclusions: The mean ECD obtained in adult Nigerians was 2791±221 cells/mm2. No statistically significant difference was found in ECD between males and females. The degree of polymegathism of corneal endothelial cells increased with age in the study population but this was also not statistically significant (p=0.141).