The repeatability of corneal topography measurements in severe Dry Eye disease

Abstract

Background To determine the repeatability of corneal topography measurements in severe dry eye disease (DED). A comparison of corneal topography parameters between severe DED and healthy subjects was a secondary goal of this study. Methods Sixty-nine patients with severe DED and 46 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. All participants underwent repeated corneal topography measurements with Pentacam (Oculus, Germany) within a half hour time. Both eyes of the participants were used in statistical analysis. A further subcategorization of severe DED patients was performed according to Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores: 32–50, 51–70 and 71–100. The repeatability of corneal parameters was assessed with correlation coefficients (CC). Results The mean age of dry eye patients and healthy subjects were 40.8 ± 13.2 (17–66) and 39.8 ± 8.2 (18–61) years (p:0.604) respectively. No significant differences were found between severe DED and control groups according to analysed corneal parameters in both eyes (p:>0.05). All CCs were greater than 0.9 in severe DED group (p:<0.001). All CCs were also greater than 0.9 in severe DED patients among different OSDI groups (p:<0.001). Conclusions Corneal topography measurements are highly repeatable in severe DED with Pentacam. This is the first report about this topic. Nonetheless, further studies are needed with different topography devices for validation.

Corneal Imaging Techniques for Dry Eye Disease

“…It has been used to assess the effect of dry eye treatment on corneal thickness. Precise corneal topography measurements are essential for co-existing eye diseases in DED (DED) patients [90]. The tear film instability and hyper-osmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neuro-sensory abnormalities play etiological roles [90].…”

“…Precise corneal topography measurements are essential for co-existing eye diseases in DED (DED) patients [90]. The tear film instability and hyper-osmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neuro-sensory abnormalities play etiological roles [90]. Studies have been conducted to assess the repeatability of corneal topography measurements in dry eye patients and healthy controls [90,91].…”

“…For example, patients with MGD may show increased central corneal steepening due to tear film instability. Patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS) may show decreased central corneal thickness due to chronic inflammation [90].…”