Effect of Argon Laser Panretinal Photocoagulation on Corneal Endothelial Cell Density Among Patients With Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy .

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is characterized by abnormal neovascularization driven by ischemic retinal tissue hypoxia and elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Argon laser retinal photocoagulation (ALRP) is a standard treatment that applies thermal damage to the retinal pigment epithelium, reducing retinal oxygen demand and VEGF production, thereby causing regression of neovascular vessels. However, the laser light must pass through the anterior eye structures, potentially causing thermal and inflammatory damage to tissues such as the corneal endothelium, which is crucial for maintaining corneal transparency. This prospective observational clinical study conducted at Assuit University Hospital evaluates the impact of ALRP on corneal endothelial cell density using specular microscopy before, 1 week, and 1 month after PRP treatment in newly diagnosed PDR patients. Secondary outcomes include changes in cell morphology such as hexagonality and coefficient of variation, indicative of endothelial cell health and stability.