Characterization of Corneoscleral Geometry Using Fourier Transform Profilometry in the Healthy Eye.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize peculiarities of the corneoscleral geometry in healthy eyes.

METHODS

This is a prospective case series including 88 healthy eyes of 88 patients with an age ranging from 21 to 73 years. A complete ocular examination was performed with emphasis on the analysis of the corneoscleral topographic profile with the Fourier transform profilometer Eye Surface Profiler (Eaglet-Eye BV, Houten, the Netherlands). The distribution of different topographic parameters was evaluated, as well as the correlations between corneal and scleroconjunctival parameters.

RESULTS

Mean values of 8.64±0.37 (range, 7.81-9.50 mm), 6.06±0.52 (4.88-7.63 mm) and 11.93±1.32 mm (8.17-15.89 mm) were obtained for inner, limbal, and outer best-fit sphere, respectively. Mean values of 8.54±0.38 (7.86-9.66 mm) and 13.35±1.29 mm (11.05-17.31 mm) were obtained for mean corneal and scleral radius, respectively. Regarding tangent angles at limbus, mean values of 35.31±6.55°, 38.76±5.90°, 32.75±7.04°, and 25.91±8.99° were obtained for nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior angles, respectively. Mean difference between temporal and nasal sagittal heights increased from -1.48±120.70 μm for a chord of 11 mm to 73.53±236.55 μm for a chord of 14 mm. A weak but statistically significant correlation was found between corneal and scleral radii (r=0.325, P=0.004). The maximum sagittal height for a diameter of 12 mm was significantly correlated with flattest keratometry, astigmatism, corneal diameter, and corneal eccentricity (R: 0.77, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The scleroconjunctival surface in the healthy eye presents some level of nasotemporal asymmetry that is higher with increasing diameters of analysis.