Comparison of central corneal thickness and corneal endothelial changes in patients using and not using a dietary supplement containing maqui berry, curcumin, coenzyme Q10, blueberry extract, vitamins, and minerals after cataract surgery

Objective: Investigation of the effects of a dietary supplement containing maqui berry extract , curcumin, coenzyme Q10, omega-3, blueberry extract, vitamins (vitamin A, C, E, B12, D, and A), and minerals (zinc, selenium, manganese and copper) on central corneal thickness and the corneal endothelium after phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: Between June 2024 and June 2025, the medical records of patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery in our clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, who did not receive dietary supplements, and Group 2, who received a postoperative dietary supplement for 3 months containing maqui berry (25 mg/day), curcumin (335 mg), coenzyme Q10 (10 mg), blueberry extract (125 mg), omega-3 (75 mg), vitamins (A, C, E, B12, and D), and minerals (zinc, selenium, manganese, and copper). Preoperative, 1-month, and 3-month postoperative data were evaluated, and corneal endothelial parameters and central corneal thickness were assessed. Results: At the 1st postoperative month, only central corneal thickness (CT) differed significantly between the groups, while corneal endothelial cell density (CD) and hexagonality (HEX) showed values close to statistical significance. CT was higher in the control group, whereas CD and HEX were higher in the supplement group; coefficient of variation (CV) showed no significant difference but was higher in the control group. At the 3rd postoperative month, no parameter showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, although CD remained close to significance. CD and HEX were higher in the supplement group, while CT and CV were higher in the control group. The absence of overall differences at month 3 was attributed to both groups reaching values close to the preoperative levels. Conclusion: Considering the increased oxidative stress during phacoemulsification surgery, we believe that the postoperative use of dietary supplements containing maqui berry, blueberry extract, omega-3, curcumin, coenzyme Q10, vitamins (vitamin A, C, E, B12, D, and A), and minerals (zinc, selenium, Manganese and copper) has protective effects against oxidative damage on corneal endothelial cells and positive effects on the healing process. Keywords: Cataract surgery, corneal endothelium, central corneal thickness, maqui berry extract, coenzyme Q10, curcumin, Postoperative dietary supplement.