Changes of lactate dehydrogenase in corneal edema after cataract surgery treated with trans-corneal oxygenation therapy

AIM:To investigate the changes in levels of the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)enzyme in corneal edema after cataract surgery with trans-corneal oxygenation therapy.METHODS:This pre-post design study design conducted on 15 patients with corneal edema after cataract surgery and receiving trans-corneal oxygenation therapy.Tear sample(using Schirmer paper,from the inferior fornix of the conjunctiva)was carried out prior to trans-corneal oxygenation therapy,on the day 2(D2)and day 5(D5)postoperatively before and after trans-corneal oxygenation therapy.Visual acuity[VA(Log MAR)],corneal endothelial density,central corneal thickness(CCT),and coefficient of variation corneal endothelial(Co V)were recorded.The value of LDH was measured using ELISA.The difference in mean LDH value before and after trans-corneal oxygenation therapy,between two groups were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test.RESULTS:There was a decrease in LDH tear concentration at D2(pre vs post:1127.54±497.09 vs 696.91±489.49;P=0.002)and D5(pre vs post:1064.17±677.77 vs 780.28±428.95;P=0.027)after trans-corneal oxygenation therapy as well as decrease in LDH concentration on the D2 compared to D5(P=0.041).The mean CCT was decreased significantly after the administration of trans-corneal oxygenation(pre vs post:632.10±25.66 vs 563.90±51.54;P=0.005).The mean VA and Co V increased significantly after the administration of trans-corneal oxygenation(P=0.001 and P=0.028,respectively).However,there was no difference in mean of corneal endothelial density(P=0.814).CONCLUSION:Trans-corneal oxygenation therapy is associated with significant decrease of tears LDH levels in post cataract surgery with corneal edema.It is accompanied by clinical improvement such as significant reduction of CCT.