Long-Term Outcome Of Rho-Kinase Inhibitor Use After Cataract Surgery

To evaluate the effect of Rho-Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor use on the corneal endothelial cells and central corneal thickness after cataract surgery

Prospective comparative study

In this Prospective study, 22 patients with grade 3 nuclear sclerotic cataract were treated with 0.4% Ripasudil eye drops four times a day after cataract surgery for one week. The control group included 19 patients with grade 3 nuclear sclerotic cataract. Endothelial cell count (ECC) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured at baseline and at 12 months postoperatively.

The Ripasudil group consists of 22 patients with a mean age of 64.8±6.3 years and the control group of 19 patients with a mean age of 63.2±5.1years. The mean ECC was 2395±250cell/mm^2 and 2353±181cell/mm^2 at baseline and 12 months postoperatively respectively, in the Ripasudil group. The mean ECC was 2493±257cell/mm^2 and 2178±250cell/mm^2 at baseline12 months postoperatively respectively in the control group. There was a 1.3% and 12.6% reduction in ECC in the Ripasudil and control groups, respectively. The mean CCT was 507±30µm and 505±35µm at baseline and 12 months postoperatively respectively in the Ripasudil group and it was 514±26µm and 522±36µm at baseline and 12 months postoperatively respectively in the control group. 

Rho-Kinase (ROCK) inhibitors may help reduce endothelial cell loss and maintain its functional integrity after cataract surgery.