Early influence of endotamponade on corneal biomechanical parameters, central corneal thickness and accuracy of intraocular pressure measurement

Abstract

To define the influence of air, SF6 gas and silicon oil 1000cs tamponade injection and oil tamponade removal on corneal biomechanics, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure. 77 eyes referred to vitrectomy were divided into 4 groups: 19 to air tamponade, 21 to SF6 tamponade, 19 to oil tamponade, 18 to oil tamponade removal. Pre- and postoperative corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, corneal thickness, Goldman intraocular pressure (GAT) and corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) were analysed. GAT and IOPcc did not change after the air or SF6 tamponade. The oil tamponade injection caused increase in GAT and IOPcc, while the oil removal caused reduction in those parameters. In all groups, preoperative and postoperative values of GAT and IOPcc did not differ. There was no change in corneal thickness and biomechanics after air, SF6 or oil tamponade while after removal of oil those parameters are decreased. The air, SF6 and oil tamponade does not change the corneal thickness and corneal biomechanics. The removal of oil causes decrease in corneal thickness and biomechanics which can lead to bias in intraocular pressure measurement. GAT and IOPcc did not differ in eyes pre- and post-vitrectomy, being similarly reliable measure.