The Relationship Between Corneal Hysteresis and Retinal Ganglion Cells – A Step Forward in Early Glaucoma Diagnosis

Abstract

Background Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible visual field (VF) loss across the world. Many studies have assessed the accuracy of glaucoma diagnostic tests for a more precise diagnosis to quickly identify patients with higher risk of progression. Material/Methods We conducted a study that included 214 eyes divided into 3 groups: 79 eyes from patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), 68 eyes from patients diagnosed with ocular hypertension (OH), and 67 eyes from normal individuals (normal eyes, NE). All patients included in the study received a complete checkup. Results In POAG patients, means of central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), mean defect (MD), visual field index (VFI), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), and ganglion cell complex (GCC) are lower than in OH patients, and in NE are higher than in both groups. Also, we found a statistically significant direct correlation between CH and GCC thickness. Further statistical analysis revealed that both pRNFL thickness and GCC thickness are significantly influenced by CH value in a precise manner. Conclusions The first cell type affected in glaucoma is the retinal ganglion cell. We found a positive correlation between GCC thickness and CH, suggesting that CH might be a parameter to consider in the evaluation of all glaucoma patients from their first examination. Moreover, both pRNFL thickness and GCC thickness are influenced by CH, suggesting the utility of monitoring the value of CH at every checkup to detect its decrease in glaucoma patients.

Corneal Hysteresis as a Marker for Patients with Secondary Glaucoma

“…thinning of peripapillary retinal nerve ber layer and ganglion cell complex, both of which are rst affected in glaucoma. 13 Subsequent demographic analysis revealed that there are several demographic factors have also been shown to in uence corneal hysteresis including the male sex, an increased age, and black ethnicity. 14,15 Smoking, diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus have also been positively associated with CH.…”

Particular Anatomy of the Hyperopic Eye and Potential Clinical Implications

“…Corneal biomechanics represent an emerging domain in adult and pediatric ophthalmology, with proven value in refractive surgery [ 14 ] and diseases such as glaucoma [ 15 , 16 ], keratoconus [ 17 ], and other refractive errors such as myopia [ 18 ]. In our study, both CH and CRF were significantly higher in hyperopes compared to emmetropes, and in children compared to adults.…”

Current trends in gene therapy for retinal diseases (Review)

“…In this case, the trigger of the pathogenic mechanism is the loss-of-function of the retinoschisis 1 (RS1) gene, expressed by the photoreceptors and bipolar cells, which plays an important role in the maintenance of retinal structural integrity. Visual loss begins in childhood and it is caused by macular schisis, retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage ( 23 ). Two studies have been published using AAV and different gene variants, which are injected into the vitreous cavity ( 24 , 25 ).…”