Three-Dimensional Morphogeometric and Volumetric Characterization of Cornea in Pediatric Patients With Early Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To present morphogeometric and volumetric characteristics of the cornea and its diagnostic value in pediatric patients with keratoconus (KC) using 3-dimensional (3-D) corneal modeling.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This single-center (VISSUM Innovation, Alicante, Spain) study comprised 49 eyes of 49 pediatric patients (age ≤16 years) with KC and 31 eyes of 31 healthy pediatric controls. Eyes were graded as early (n = 21) and mild KC (n = 28) based on the RETICS (Thematic Network for Co-Operative Research in Health) classification system. The 3-D corneal model was generated using raw topographic data. Deviation of anterior (Dapexant) and posterior (Dapexpost) apex and minimum thickness points (Dmctant, Dmctpost), Dapexant-Dapexpost difference, total corneal volume (Vtotal), volumetric distribution (VOLAAP, VOLPAP, and VOLMCT), and percentage of relative volume increase (VOLAAPrel, VOLPAPrel, and VOLMCTrel) between 2 consecutive radii centered to anterior/posterior apex and thinnest point were evaluated.

RESULTS

Dapexpost and Dapexant-Dapexpost difference were higher in the early and mild KC groups compared to the control group (P < .05). Eyes with early and mild KC had decreased Vtotal compared with the control group (P < .05). Dapexpost, Dapexant-Dapexpost difference, and VOLMCTrel between 1.0 and 1.4 mm diameters had area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) values over 0.93 in discrimination of early KC from normal.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study presenting morphogeometric and volumetric characterization of cornea in pediatric patients with early and mild KC using a 3-D corneal model. Integration of the morphogeometric and volumetric parameters to topography software can add value in early detection of KC in pediatric patients.