PURPOSE-To characterize the in vivo epithelial thickness profile in a population of normal eyes. METHODS-An epithelial thickness profile was measured by Artemis 1 (Ultralink LLC) very highfrequency (VHF) digital ultrasound scanning across the central 10-mm diameter of the cornea of 110 eyes of 56 patients who presented for refractive surgery assessment. The average, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and range of epithelial thickness were calculated for each point in the 10×10mm Cartesian matrix and plotted. Differences between the epithelial thickness at the corneal vertex and peripheral locations at the 3-mm radius were calculated. The location of the thinnest epithelium was found for each eye and averaged. Correlations of corneal vertex epithelial thickness with age, spherical equivalent refraction, and average keratometry were calculated. RESULTS-The mean epithelial thickness at the corneal vertex was 53.4±4.6 μm, with no statistically significant difference between right and left eyes, and no significant differences in age, spherical equivalent refraction, or keratometry. The average epithelial thickness map showed that the corneal epithelium was thicker inferiorly than superiorly (5.9 μm at the 3-mm radius, P<.001) and thicker nasally than temporally (1.3 μm at the 3-mm radius, P< 001). The location of the thinnest epithelium was displaced on average 0.33 mm temporally and 0.90 mm superiorly with reference to the corneal vertex. CONCLUSIONS-Three-dimensional thickness mapping of the corneal epithelium demonstrated that the epithelial thickness is not evenly distributed across the cornea; the epithelium was significantly thicker inferiorly than superiorly and significantly thicker nasally than temporally with a larger inferosuperior difference than nasotemporal difference. The human corneal epithelium has five to seven cell layers and an accepted central thickness of approximately 50 to 52 μm. 1 Bowman's layer, a dense collagenous layer approximately 8 to 10 μm thickness lies between the epithelium and stroma. The anterior margin of Bowman's

This mathematical model predicts that the postoperative TTS is considerably higher after SMILE than both PRK and LASIK, as expected given that the strongest anterior lamellae remain intact. Consequently, SMILE should be able to correct higher levels of myopia.

PURPOSE To characterize the epithelial, stromal, and total corneal thickness profile in a population of eyes with keratoconus. METHODS Epithelial, stromal, and total corneal thickness profiles were measured in vivo by Artemis very high-frequency (VHF) digital ultrasound scanning (ArcScan) across the central 6- to 10-mm diameter of the cornea on 54 keratoconic eyes. Maps of the average, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and range of epithelial, stromal, and total corneal thickness were plotted. The average location of the thinnest epithelium, stroma, and total cornea were found. The cross-sectional semi-meridional stromal and total corneal thickness profiles were calculated using annular averaging. The absolute stromal and total corneal thickness progressions relative to the thinnest point were calculated using annular averaging as well as for 8 semi-meridians individually. RESULTS The mean corneal vertex epithelial, stromal, and total corneal thicknesses were 45.7 ± 5.9 µm, 426.4 ± 38.5 µm and 472.2 ± 41.4 µm respectively. The average epithelial thickness profile showed an epithelial doughnut pattern characterized by localized central thinning surrounded by an annulus of thick epithelium. The thinnest epithelium, stroma, and total cornea were displaced on average by 0.48 ± 0.66 mm temporally and 0.32 ± 0.67 mm inferiorly, 0.31 ± 0.45 mm temporally and 0.54 ± 0.37 mm inferiorly, and 0.31 ± 0.43 mm temporally and 0.50 ± 0.35 mm inferiorly, respectively, with reference to the corneal vertex. The increase in semi-meridional absolute stromal and total corneal thickness progressions was greatest inferiorly and lowest temporally. CONCLUSIONS Three-dimensional thickness mapping of the epithelial, stromal, and total corneal thickness profiles characterized thickness changes associated with keratoconus and may help in early diagnosis of keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To illustrate the hypothesis that epithelial thickness profi le maps could be used as an adjunctive tool to improve the sensitivity and specifi city of keratoconus screening by presenting a case series of examples. METHODS:The Artemis very high-frequency digital ultrasound arc-scanner was used to obtain epithelial thickness profi les in addition to a comprehensive ophthalmic examination to screen for keratoconus. Five case examples are presented; a normal eye, an eye with advanced keratoconus, and three cases where a diagnosis of keratoconus was uncertain based only on the ophthalmic examination.

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