Repositori URV

Identifier: TDX:1141

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX1141

Authors:
Soler Lluís, Núria

Abstract:
An observational prospective cohort study was undertaken to assess whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a risk factor for reduced endothelial functional reserve and to investigate its susceptibility to endothelial corneal damage during cataract surgery. We used specular microscopy that is an useful tool to know the morphometric indices, and pachymetry to monitor corneal dysfunction. To analyze if the mechanisms that take part in the systemic manifestations and comorbidities of COPD (oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia and corticoids) could affect corneal endothelium, paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and hypoxia were analyzed in plasma, aqueous humor and cataractous lens, and corticoids accumulative dose was calculated. Conclusions: COPD is a risk factor for reduced endothelial functional reserve, and has an increased corneal endothelial vulnerability to intraocular surgical stress. It seems that this corneal endothelium affection has a multifactorial origin with the participation of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), hypoxia and corticoids.