Corneal Endothelial Changes With Long-Term Topical Epinephrine Therapy

Corneal thicknesses and endothelial cell densities were studied in nine patients with ocular hypertension receiving long-term unilateral topical epinephrine hydrochloride therapy. No difference was noted in corneal thickness in the treated eyes. There was a significant (P less than .02) reduction in endothelial cell count in the treated eyes compared to their untreated fellow controls. Those patients who had the most marked intraocular pressure response to epinephrine also had the greatest endothelial cell loss.