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Clinical application of corneal densitometry in Descemet"s stripping endothelial keratoplasty follow-up

Session Details

Session Title: Imaging I

Session Date/Time: Sunday 06/10/2013 | 14:30-16:00

Paper Time: 15:04

Venue: Elicium 1 (First Floor)

First Author: : I.Piotrowiak POLAND

Co Author(s): :    B. Danek   M. Czajkowska   G. Malukiewicz   B. Kaluzny     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Corneal transparency is can be evaluated subjectively by the level of corneal haziness or objectively measuring corneal densitometry. The aim of the study is to assess the role of corneal densitometry measured by means of the Scheimpflug system as a tool for evaluation of corneal optical function following Descemet"s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK).

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Methods:

20 pseudophakic eyes with isolated bullous keratopathy that underwent primary DSEK were enrolled in the study. Complete ophthalmic examination was performed with additional corneal transparency subjective evaluation according to previously published guidelines (grade 1-4). Corneal densitometry was measured by Scheimpflug system (Pentacam, Oculus, Germany). Central corneal thickness and endothelium cell count were also analyzed. All measurements were taken before the procedure and after 3- 6- and 12-month follow-up.

Results:

Mean preoperative corneal densitometry comprised 43,59%. A subsequent decrease to 22,12%, 25,93% and 15,25% was observed 3, 6 and 12 months postop, respectively, p<0.05. A subsequent decline in corneal transparency was observed and defined according to haziness grading score (0-4) from 3.72 preop to 2,23, 1,93 and 1,37, respectively, p<0.05. Mean central corneal thickness measured by the Scheimpflug system also diminished from 991.5um to 669.2, 598.0 and 587.3um, respectively, p<0.05. Mean endothelial cell count in the follow-up period was 2455.0, 2444.0 and 1769.33, respectively, p<0.05. Mean CDVA (Snellen) assessed within the study was 0,03 preop and 0.37, 0.69 and 0.62 postop, respectively, p<0.05.

Conclusions:

Corneal densitometry correlates well with corneal function after DSEK and could be used for objective quantitative analysis of corneal transparency. In our study we found high correlation between corneal densitometry and CDVA whereas CCT showed moderate correlation. Within 1-year follow-up period progressive endothelial cell loss was not correlated with higher densitometry readings.

Financial Interest:

NONE