Evaluation of Corneal biomechanics in primary open angle glaucoma

Abstract

Background: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the most important factors for diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma. IOP is currently the only modifiable risk factor for glaucoma,cornea is the transparent tissue covering the front of the eye. It is a powerful refracting surface, providing 2/3 of the eye's focusing power. The adult cornea is only about 1/2 millimeter thick and is comprised of 6 layers: epithelium, Bowman's membrane, stroma, Dua's layer, Descemet's membrance and endothelium. Objectives: Evaluation of the Corneal Biomechanics in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma. Patients and Methods: This study is a prospective cross-sectional study, ocular response analyzer (ORA) parameters were measured in 40 patients with correlation to their Intraocular pressure (IOP), Perimetry (visual field) and ocular coherence tomography (OCT) retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) on 80 eyes, Patients ages range between 40-65 years old. The study was prepared on patients seeking treatment in ophthalmology polyclinic in The Memorial Institute of Ophthalmic Researches in Giza in the period from May 2018 to October 2019, they were screened to identify those with primary open angle glaucoma. Results: Our study was made to assess the correlation between corneal biomechanics Parameters (CH, CRF, IOPg and IOPcc) with visual field affection, OCT optic disc and IOPGAT in primary open angle glaucoma. Our study revealed that the corneal biomechanics Parameters are significantly lower in patients with advanced primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Conclusion: Studying corneal biomechanics is essential to enrich our ophthalmic knowledge and make better understanding of corneal pathologies, surgeries and glaucoma.