Variability of Corneal Deformation Response in Normal and Keratoconic Eyes.

PURPOSE: To compare the corneal deformation response, central corneal thickness (CCT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements and their test-retest variability obtained with an ultrahigh-speed Scheimpflug camera between normal and keratoconus eyes.

METHODS

Three consecutive measurements were obtained using Corvis ST. The following parameters were analyzed: A1 and A2 length (length of flattened cornea at first and second applanation), A1 and A2 velocity (deformation velocity until first and second applanation), corneal deformation amplitude (deformation amplitude of cornea at the highest concavity), peak distance (distance of two apices of cornea at time of highest concavity), and radius of corneal curvature at the time of maximum deformation. Repeatability coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient were measured. Linear mix models were used to adjust for the effect of age, CCT, and IOP on corneal deformation response parameters.

RESULTS

Twelve normal subjects and 12 keratoconus patients were included. Data from only one eye of each participant were randomly selected for analysis. Significant differences were found in corneal deformation amplitude (p < 0.001) and radius of corneal curvature (p < 0.001) between normal and keratoconus eyes after adjusting for age, CCT, and IOP. Although there was no significant difference of intraclass correlation coefficient between the groups, repeatability coefficient values of A1 and A2 length, A1 velocity, and peak distance were significantly smaller in normal eyes as compared with keratoconus eyes (p ≤ 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Corvis ST showed adequate repeatability for measurement of corneal deformation amplitude, CCT, and IOP in normal and keratoconus eyes. It may be used to understand ocular pathologies associated with altered biomechanical properties.