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Corneal epithelial thickness profile in healthy portuguese children by high definition optical coherence tomography

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First Author: T.Loureiro PORTUGAL

Co Author(s):    D. Lopes   A. Carreira   F. Moraes   A. Vide Escada   S. Barros   N. Campos     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate corneal epithelial thickness (CET) and corneal thickness (CT) in healthy eyes of Portuguese children and establish a normative database for these age group.

Setting:

Single-center retrospective study.

Methods:

Sixty healthy eyes of children aged 8-18 were imaged using the Cirrus high-definition (HD) optical coherence tomography device. The average CET was assessed using Cirrus Review Software with predefined concentric corneal ring-shaped zones. Specific regions of CET (superior, inferior, temporal, nasal, superonasal, inferotemporal, superotemporal, and inferonasal) were also assessed. The difference between zones was compared by sex and ethnicity. Correlations between CET, axial length and refractive error were evaluated.

Results:

The average CET was inferior in the peripheric concentric rings, whereas the average CT was superior. CT was superior in males than in females (p<0.05), but the CET did not differ. The CET and CT did not differ between ethnic groups. The CET was thinner in the superior area than in the inferior (p<0.05). The CET was not associated with older age, axial length or refractive error.

Conclusions:

Optical coherence tomography analysis of CET reveals that it is thinner in the periphery, where the CT is thicker. Unlike CT, CET does not seem to be influenced by sex. Age, ethnical and sex-based variations in corneal profile should be considered when evaluating patients suspected to have corneal disease, namely keratoconus. As the epithelial changes occur early in the disease, a normative database of these measurements could be a helpful tool in pediatric patients to enhance early diagnosis.

Financial Disclosure:

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