Corneal Biomechanics, Refraction, and Corneal Aberrometry in Keratoconus: An Integrated Study

Purpose. To evaluate the relationship of corneal biomechanical properties to refraction and corneal aberrometry in keratoconic eyes. Methods. A total of 81 consecutive keratoconic eyes of 81 patients ranging in age from 11 to 58 years were included in the study. Three groups were differentiated acco...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2010-04, Vol.51 (4), p.1948-1955
Main Authors: Pinero, David P, Alio, Jorge L, Barraquer, Rafael I, Michael, Ralph, Jimenez, Ramon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aberrometry
Adolescent
Adult
Biomechanical Phenomena - physiology
Child
Cornea - physiology
Corneal Topography
Elastic Tissue - physiology
Female
Humans
Keratoconus - physiopathology
Male
Middle Aged
Refraction, Ocular - physiology
Retrospective Studies
Visual Acuity - physiology
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Summary:Purpose. To evaluate the relationship of corneal biomechanical properties to refraction and corneal aberrometry in keratoconic eyes. Methods. A total of 81 consecutive keratoconic eyes of 81 patients ranging in age from 11 to 58 years were included in the study. Three groups were differentiated according to the severity of keratoconus: mild (37 eyes), moderate (24 eyes), and severe (20 eyes). Visual acuity, refraction, corneal topography, and corneal aberrations were evaluated. In addition, corneal biomechanics were analyzed in relation to two parameters: corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF). Correlations between these biomechanical factors and the remaining clinical parameters were investigated. Results. CH and CRF in the severe keratoconus group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (P < or = 0.01). A significant difference in CRF was found between mild and moderate cases (P = 0.04). A moderate correlation was found between the CRF and mean keratometry in the overall sample (r = -0.564). In addition, a significant, strong correlation was found between the spherical-like root mean square (RMS) and the CRF only in the severe keratoconus group (r = -0.655). Multiple regression analysis revealed that CRF correlated significantly with keratometry and the corneal spherical-like RMS (R(2) = 0.40, P < 0.01). Conclusions. The CRF correlates with the magnitude of corneal spherical-like aberrations, especially in severe keratoconus. It should be considered an additional factor in keratoconus grading.
ISSN:0146-0404
1552-5783
1552-5783
DOI:10.1167/iovs.09-4177