Free Papers

Influence of dry eye disease on epithelial mapping and corneal parameters

Free Paper Details

First Author: A.Kasumovic CROATIA

Co Author(s):    I. Krolo   I. Radman   M. Radman   J. Paić   I. Sabol   Z. Vatavuk     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate whether anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS OCT) epithelial thickness mapping (ETM) may be an objective tool to diagnose the dry eye disease (DED), as well as to compare the consistency of corneal parameters with age-matched healthy patients.

Setting:

University Hospital Center „Sestre milosrdnice“, Vinogradska 29, Zagreb, Croatia

Methods:

The study included 36 eyes with DED and 36 healthy eyes. Female patients, aged 40 to 65, without ocular pathology, previous surgery, amblyopia, contact lens wear or arteficial tears usage were included. Patients underwent the ocular surface disease index questionnaire, non-invasive tear breakup time test, Schirmer test, AS OCT (Optovue, Inc. Fremont, USA), corneal tomography (Pentacam, Oculus, Germany), optical biometry (IOLMaster 700, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany) and DED group also Oxford and Lyssamine green test. We analysed epithelium within the 5-mm and 7-mm zone and compared corneal parameters on IOLMaster, corneal tomography and equivalent K-reading (EKR) Holladay Detailed Report.

Results:

Statistical analysis showed generally lower values of all epithelial thickness parameters in DED group, with statistical significance of minimal epithelial thickness both on 5-mm (p=0,0369) and 7-mm map (p=0,0431). Inferior epithelial thickness on 7-mm map showed significantly lower values in DED group, measuring 51,95±3,46 µm (p=0,0199), in comparison to control group (55,12±3,83 µm). Maximal epithelial thickness spot was most commonly located in inferior corneal segments in both groups. When comparing Pentacam steep keratometry and mean astigmatism values on EKR Holladay Detailed Report, as well as anterior corneal surface measurements, significant differences were found in both groups (p<0,001 for both variables).

Conclusions:

Epithelial thickness mapping in this study demonstrated that the corneal epithelium parameters were thinner in DED group, especially in the inferior region. AS OCT epithelial mapping could be a very useful tool for detecting and following patients with dry eye disease.

Financial Disclosure:

-