The effect of age on the edema response of the central and mid‐peripheral cornea

Abstract

Corneal edema was induced by a 2-h closed-eye wear of a thick hydrogel contact lens. Corneal edema production and edema recovery responses were measured in the central and mid-peripheral (3 mm inferior) cornea of 10 younger (20.4 +/- 2.0 years) and 10 older (69.0 +/- 3.4 years) subjects using optical pachometry. The amount of edema produced was not significantly different between the two corneal locations nor between the two age groups. The edema recovery rates of the central and mid-peripheral cornea were not significantly different in either the younger or older group. The edema recovery rates at both corneal positions were significantly faster in the younger group than in the older group. The results of this study suggest that the mechanisms that control edema production and recovery in the inferior mid-peripheral cornea are similar to those previously described in central and temporal mid-peripheral locations. Ageing appears to influence the edema production and recovery mechanisms of both the central and mid-peripheral cornea in similar ways.

Corneal Edema after Cataract Surgery

“…CXL is a photopolymerization technique that uses a photosensitizing substance like riboflavin and UV light to induce additional crosslinks within the matrix of collagen fibers, increasing corneal stiffness. Some studies suggest that CXL may compact the corneal stroma and reduce swelling in edematous corneas by improving endothelial pump function or reducing corneal hydration [51,72,76,87]. For example, Laborante et al [72] treated six patients with visually impairing corneal edema using CXL alone or with amniotic membrane transplantation.…”

“…Some studies suggest that CXL may compact the corneal stroma and reduce swelling in edematous corneas by improving endothelial pump function or reducing corneal hydration [51,72,76,87]. For example, Laborante et al [72] treated six patients with visually impairing corneal edema using CXL alone or with amniotic membrane transplantation. They reported improved corneal transparency and visual acuity in all patients, concluding that CXL could delay the need for keratoplasty.…”

“…Additionally, therapeutic contact lenses are typically used to relieve discomfort or improve vision when there are epithelial irregularities or keratopathies, such as bullous keratopathy [5,6,72]. Nowadays, either rigid or silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses are hypoxia-safe, and the prescription varies depending on the case.…”

“…It is sometimes necessary to prescribe therapeutic contact lenses in conjunction with antibiotics to prevent contact-lens-induced infections, especially when soft contact lenses are prescribed. Contact lenses should be worn carefully to avoid lens-induced hypoxia, which can result in excess lactate and protons (stroma), as well as inflammatory eicosanoids (epithelium), according to some studies [11,18,71,72]. Both protons and lactate function as osmotic stimulants and change the pH of the stroma directly, which decreases endothelial pump activity and starts the process of corneal swelling [11,18,22,68,73,91].…”