Evaluation of corneal and anterior segment parameters in pediatric phenylketonuria.

PURPOSE: To compare anterior segment parameters in healthy children of the same age with those in children with phenylketonuria (PKU).

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study

METHODS

Data from 25 eyes of PKU patients (study group) and 60 eyes of age- and gender-matched children (control group) were analyzed. The records reviewed included results from a comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation that each participant had previously undergone. This evaluation included refraction evaluation (spherical equivalent), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, specular microscopy, and corneal topography measurement.

RESULT: Forty-five (52.9%) age- and sex-matched participants were girls and 40 (47.1%) were boys. The percentage of hexagonal cells (HEX) was 65.53±8.17 in the study group and 69.75±4.19 in the control group (p=0.021). Flat keratometry (K1) was 41.70±1.54 D in the study group and 43.16±1.52 D in the control group (p=0.002). Steep keratometry (K2) was 42.55±1.83 D in the study group and 43.91±1.73 D in the control group (p=0.013).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that patients with pediatric PKU have differences in the anterior segment parameters, including keratometric values and HEX, when compared with healthy controls.