Biomechanical properties of the cornea in Fuchs' corneal dystrophy and their influence on intraocular pressure measurements

Session Details

Session Title: Corneal Biomechanics

Session Date/Time: Monday 15/09/2014 | 17:00-18:30

Paper Time: 17:00

Venue: Capital Hall A

First Author: : M.Franco PORTUGAL

Co Author(s): :    L. Colaço   C. Pereira   J. Neves   R. Seldon   J. Maia Seco  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Evaluate the corneal biomechanical properties in patients with Fuchs´corneal distrophy (FCD) and understand the influence of such changes on intraocular pressure measurements.

Setting:

Instituto de Oftalmologia Dr. Gama Pinto, Lisboa

Methods:

The study group was composed of 30 eyes from 15 patients with FCD and 30 eyes from 15 healthy control subjects. Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured with the ocular response analyser (ORA).Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured with an ultrasonic pachymeter attached to the ORA. The ORA was also used to determine the values of intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal compensated IOP (IOPcc). Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) was also measured.

Results:

CH measured 9,49+-1,8mmhg in normal eyes and 6,8+-1,8mmhg in FCD (P=0.001). CRF in the normal and FCD eyes was 10,6+-1,6mmhg and 8,2+-1,9mmhg, respectively. CCT was higher in FCD eyes (598+-19um) than in normal eyes (538,8+-24,9um; P=0.005). IOPg was 16,1+-2,2mmhg in control eyes compared with17,7+-2,6mmhg in FCD eyes (P=0,200). However, IOPcc in the FCD group (21,9+-4,7mmhg) was higher than in the control group (16,4+-3,3mmhg; P=0,006). GAT in the normal and FCD eyes was 16,6+-2,1 and 16,9+-2,3, respectively (P=0,201).

Conclusions:

FCD led to a change of corneal biomechanical properties. CH and CRF were significantly lower in FCD eyes than in normal eyes. These findings should be taken into account when measuring IOP values in pacients with FCD as IOP readings may be underestimated in FCD eyes.

Financial Interest:

NONE