Corneal Properties in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Assessed Through Scheimpflug Corneal Topography and Densitometry

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare corneal topography and densitometry measurements in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and healthy subjects.Patients and Methods: A total of 200 eyes of 75 patients with POAG and 125 healthy controls underwent corneal topography and densitometry (Oculus Pentacam HR). The data compared in the 2 groups were: anterior chamber angle, anterior chamber depth, and anterior chamber volume, keratometry (K minimum , K maximum , and K mean ), central corneal thickness, central anterior elevation, anterior elevation apex, maximum anterior elevation, and posterior elevation apex. Densitometry measurements were made at 3 depths on a 12-mm-diameter circle divided into 4 concentric rings (0 to 2, 2 to 6, 6 to 10, and 10 to 12 mm). The diagnostic capacity of the corneal variables was assessed through the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve. Results:The corneal density of practically all depth layers and total corneal density were significantly higher in the POAG than the control group (P < 0.05). Total corneal density was positively correlated with age (r = 0.623; P < 0.001) and also showed a good diagnostic capacity for glaucoma [area under the curve = 0.617; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.541-0.697; P < 0.001]. In a multiple linear regression designed to assess its relationship with age, sex, central corneal thickness, and K mean , age emerged as a significant confounder both in controls (coefficient = 0.315; P < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.246-0.384) and patients (coefficient = 0.370; P < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.255-0.486). Conclusion:Corneal densitometry measurements showed a good diagnostic capacity for POAG suggesting this type of examination could have clinical applications in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.

The comparison of corneal densitometry in cases with glaucoma following childhood cataract surgery and juvenile glaucoma

“…They showed that CD had a good diagnostic performance for glaucoma. In the present study, we did not find any differences in CD values of JOAG and control subjects different from a previous study [ 16 ]. This result may be caused by age-related differences of juvenile and older cases.…”

“…In topographic and anterior segment analysis, they found significantly higher central anterior elevation, posterior elevation apex, and anterior chamber angle in eyes with POAG. They also found higher CD values in all depth layers in eyes with POAG than the control eyes and positive correlation between age and CD were also demonstrated in the aforementioned study [ 16 ]. They showed that CD had a good diagnostic performance for glaucoma.…”

“…Glaucoma may cause some morphological and densitometric corneal changes. Molero-Senosiain et al [ 16 ] compared corneal topography, anterior segment parameters, and CD measurements in patients with POAG and healthy subjects. In topographic and anterior segment analysis, they found significantly higher central anterior elevation, posterior elevation apex, and anterior chamber angle in eyes with POAG.…”

Current Developments in Corneal Topography and Tomography

“…Although corneal topography and tomography are widely used, it is common that these technologies are confused [4,6,41,[80][81][82][83][84]. This corrigendum could be associated with the fact that at the time when corneal tomographers were developed, the nomenclature was not yet defined [8].…”