Dependence of dynamic contour and Goldmann applanation tonometries on peripheral corneal thickness

AIM：To determine the effects of peripheral corneal thickness（PCT）on dynamic contour tonometry（DCT）and Goldmann applanation tonometry（GAT）.METHODS：A cross-sectional study.We created a software which calculates the corneal contour（CC）as a function of the radius from the corneal apex to each pixel of the contour.The software generates a central circumference with a radius of 1 mm and the remainder of the cornea is segmented in 5 rings concentric with corneal apex being its diameter not constant around the corneal circumference as a consequence of the irregular CC but keeping constant the diameter of each ring in each direction of the contour.PCT was determined as the mean thickness of the most eccentric ring.Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing（LOWESS）regression was used to determine the pattern of the relationship between PCT and both DCT and GAT respectively.Thereafter,two multivariable linear regression models were constructed.In each of them,the dependant variable was intraocular pressure（IOP）as determined using GAT and DCT respectively.In both of the models the predictive variable was PCT though LOWESS regression pattern was used to model the relationship between the dependant variables and the predictor one.Age and sex were also introduced control variables along with their first-degree interactions with PCT.Main outcome measures include amount of IOP variation explained through regression models（R2）and regression coefficients（B）.RESULTS：Subjects included 109 eyes of 109 healthy individuals.LOWESS regression suggested that a 2nd-degree polynomial would be suitable to model the relationshipbetween both DCT and GAT with PCT.Hence PCT was introduced in both models as a linear and quadratic term.Neither age nor sex nor interactions were statistically significant in both models.For GAT model,R2was 17.14%（F=9.02;P=0.0002）,PCT linear term B was-1.163（95%CI：-1.163,-0.617）.PCT quadratic term B was 0.00081（95%CI：0.00043,0.00118）.For DCT model R2was 14.28%（F=9.29;P=0.0002）,PCT linear term B was-0.712（95%CI：-1.052,-0.372）,PCT quadratic term was B=0.0005（95%CI：0.0003,0.0007）.CONCLUSION：DCT and GAT measurements are conditioned by PCT though this effect,rather than linear,follows a2nd-degree polynomial pattern.

Anatomical characterization of central, apical and minimal corneal thickness

·AIM: To anatomically locate the points of minimum corneal thickness and central corneal thickness(pupil center) in relation to the corneal apex.·METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study, 299 healthy volunteers. Thickness at the corneal apex(AT),minimum corneal thickness(MT) and corneal thickness at the pupil center(PT) were determined using the pentacam. Distances from the corneal apex to MT(MD)and PT(PD) were calculated and their quadrant position(taking the corneal apex as the reference) determined:point of minimum thickness(MC) and point of central thickness(PC) depending on the quadrant position. Two multivariate linear regression models were constructed to examine the influence of age, gender, power of the flattest and steepest corneal axes, position of the flattest axis, corneal volume(determined using the Pentacam)and PT on MD and PD. The effects of these variables on MC and PC were also determined in two multinomial regression models.·RESULTS: MT was located at a mean distance of 0.909 mm from the apex(79.4% in the inferior-temporal quadrant). PT was located at a mean distance of 0.156 mm from the apex. The linear regression model for MD indicated it was significantly influenced by corneal volume(B =-0.024; 95% CI:-0.043 to-0.004). No significant relations were identified in the linear regression model for PD or the multinomial logisticregressions for MC and PC.·CONCLUSION: MT was typically located at the inferiortemporal quadrant of the cornea and its distance to the corneal apex tended to decrease with the increment of corneal volume.

Correlations between corneal and optic nerve head variables in healthy subjects and patients with primary open angle glaucoma

AIMTo correlate corneal variables (determined using the Pentacam) with optic nerve head (ONH) variables determined using the Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) in healthy subjects and patients diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).METHODSMeasurements were made in 75 healthy eyes and 73 eyes with POAG and correlations examined through Pearson correlation coefficients between the two sets of variables in the two subject groups. The corneal variables determined were corneal volume (CVol), central corneal thickness (CCT), overall corneal thickness (OvCT), the mean thickness of a circular zone centered at the corneal apex of 1 mm radius (zone I) and the mean thickness of several concentric rings, also centered at the apex until the limbus, each of 1 mm width (zones II to VI respectively). The ONH variables were determined using the HRT.RESULTSThe following pairs of variables were correlated in the control group: CCT-disc area (DAr) (-0.48; P<0.0001), Zone I-DAr (-0.503; P<0.0001) and Zone II-DAr (-0.443; P<0.0001); and in the POAG group: CCT-cup-to-disc area ratio (CDRa) (-0.402; P<0.0001), Zone I-CDRa (-0.418; P<0.0001), Zone II-CDRa (-0.405; P=0.006), Zone I-cup shape measure (CSM) (-0.415; P=0.002), Zone II-CSM (-0.405; P=0.001), Zone IV-height variation contour (HVC) (0.378; P=0.002); Zone V-HVC (0.388, P<0.0001).CONCLUSIONSIn the healthy subjects, significant negative correlation was detected between central and paracentral corneal thickness and optic disc area. In contrast, the POAG patients showed significant negative correlation between central and paracentral corneal thickness and the cup-disc ratio and CSM, and positive correlation between peripheral corneal thickness and HVC.