scholarly journals Detailed Distribution of Corneal Epithelial Thickness and Correlated Characteristics Measured with SD-OCT in Myopic Eyes

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yanan Wu ◽  
Yan Wang

Purpose.To investigate the detailed distribution of corneal epithelial thickness in single sectors and its correlated characteristics in myopic eyes.Methods.SD-OCT was used to measure the corneal epithelial thickness distribution profile. Differences of corneal epithelial thickness between different parameters and some correlations of characteristics were calculated.Results.The thickest and thinnest part of epithelium were found at the nasal-inferior sector (P<0.05) and at the superior side (P<0.05), respectively. Subjects in the low and moderate myopia groups have thicker epithelial thickness than those in the high myopia group (P<0.05). Epithelial thickness was 1.39 μm thicker in male subjects than in female subjects (P<0.001). There was a slight negative correlation between corneal epithelial thickness and age (r=−0.13,P=0.042). Weak positive correlations were found between corneal epithelial thickness and corneal thickness (r=0.148,P=0.031). No correlations were found between corneal epithelial thickness, astigmatism axis, corneal front curvature, and IOP.Conclusions.The epithelial thickness is not evenly distributed across the cornea. The thickest location of the corneal epithelium is at the nasal-inferior sector. People with high myopia tend to have thinner corneal epithelium than low–moderate myopic patients. The corneal epithelial thickness is likely to be affected by some parameters, such as age, gender, and corneal thickness.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  

Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine age-relatedvariation in the thickness of the corneal epithelium using ultrasound pachymeter. Methods: One hundred three patients were enrolled in this study and grouped according to age: Group A (< 30 years), group B (31-40 years), group C (41-50 years), group D (51-60 years), group E (61-70), and group F (> 71). Total corneal and corneal epithelial thickness measurements were made using the SonogageCorneo-Gage Plus 2 (Cleveland, Ohio) ultrasound pachymeter. Correlations of central epithelial thickness with central total corneal thickness, age, and gender were calculated. In addition, mean central epithelial thickness (CET) was measured. One-way ANOVA testing and post hoc analysis with the Tukey test and Pearson correlation were performed to analyze data. Results: The mean epithelial thickness at the central cornea was 47.88±1.15 μm, with no statistically significant difference between right and left eyes, and no significant differences in gender or central total corneal thickness. The difference in mean epithelial thickness across age groups was statistically significant (p <0.008). The mean epithelial thickness of the > 71 years group was significantly thinner than that of the < 30 years, 31-40, 41-50, and 51-60 years age groups. Conclusions: Ultrasound pachymeter of the corneal epithelium demonstrated that the oldest age group (> 71 years) had significantly thinner central corneal epithelial thickness than the younger age groups. There was no correlation between epithelial thickness, total corneal thickness, gender, or laterality.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaqi Zhou ◽  
Feng Xue ◽  
Xingtao Zhou ◽  
Rajeev Krishnan Naidu ◽  
Yishan Qian

Abstract Background: To investigate the changes in corneal epithelial thickness along the principle meridians of astigmatic corneas after six months of overnight spherical myopic orthokeratology (OK) lens wear. Methods: A prospective study. Fifty-seven subjects with up to 1.50 diopters (D) of corneal toricity wore spherical OK lenses for 6 months. Evaluations of OK lens fit, visual acuity, refractions and corneal toricity (CT) were performed. Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) was conducted to measure the corneal epithelial thickness (ET) along the principle meridians of corneal toricity over a diameter of 6mm. The means of △ET of the same diameter at individual meridians (△ETSm and △ETFm) were calculated and compared. Results: Visual acuity and refraction improved significantly after OK lens wear. △ETFm (-4.2±3.4μm) thinned more than △ETSm (-3.4±4.0μm, P=0.027) at 1.5mm in radius. △ETSm thickened more than △ETFm at 2.5mm (△ETSm: 4.1±5.1μm, △ETFm: 2.8±4.2μm, P=0.019) and 3.0mm (△ETSm: 5.0±5.0μm, △ETFm: 3.7±4.9μm, P=0.036).∣△ETSm - △ETFm∣ were significantly correlated with the baseline central CT at 2.0mm, 2.5mm and 3.0mm (2.0mm: r=0.285, P=0.032; 2.5mm: r=0.422, P=0.001; 3.0mm: r=0.239, P=0.027). ∣△ETSm - △ETFm∣was significantly correlated with the baseline peripheral CT at 2.5mm (r=0.299, P=0.028). Conclusions: Overnight wear of spherical OK lenses resulted in differential changes in the thickness profiles of the corneal epithelium between the steep and flat meridians in eyes with corneal toricity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (5) ◽  
pp. C757-C765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aytan Musayeva ◽  
Caroline Manicam ◽  
Andreas Steege ◽  
Christoph Brochhausen ◽  
Beate K. Straub ◽  
...  

Adrenergic stimuli are important for corneal epithelial structure and healing. The purpose of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that the lack of a single α1-adrenoceptor (α1-AR) subtype affects corneal epithelial thickness and cell proliferation. Expression levels of α1-AR mRNA were determined in mouse cornea using real-time PCR. In mice devoid of one of the three α1-AR subtypes (α1A-AR−/−, α1B-AR−/−, α1D-AR−/−) and in wild-type controls, thickness of individual corneal layers, the number of epithelial cell layers, and average epithelial cell size were determined in cryosections. Endothelial cell density and morphology were calculated in corneal explants, and epithelial cell proliferation rate was determined with immunofluorescence microscopy. Moreover, the ultrastructure of the corneal epithelium was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Messenger RNA for all three α1-AR subtypes was expressed in whole cornea and in corneal epithelium from wild-type mice with a rank order of abundance of α1A ≥ α1B > α1D. In contrast, no α1-AR mRNA was detected in the stroma, and only α1B-AR mRNA was found in the Descemet endothelial complex. Remarkably, corneal epithelial thickness and mean epithelial cell size were reduced in α1A-AR−/− mice. Our findings suggest that the α1A-AR exerts growth effects in mouse corneal epithelial cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 3464
Author(s):  
Myungsik Nam ◽  
Sun Woong Kim

Corneal thickness measurement is important for assessing intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. This study investigated the changes in corneal epithelial thickness (CET) induced by antiglaucoma medications and explored the factors affecting CET measurement. CET was measured over a 9.0 mm diameter area by using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography in 125 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 125 age-matched controls without glaucoma. The influence of sex, age, benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-containing instillations, disease severity, and types and numbers of medications was analyzed using simple and multiple regression analyses. CET over 25 sectors was smaller in the glaucoma group than in the control group (mean difference of 4.2 µm in the central 2.0 mm zone; 52.8 ± 3.6 vs. 48.5 ± 3.9, p < 0.001). Simple regression analysis revealed age, use of β-blockers, prostaglandin, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, total number of medications, and number of daily BAK-containing instillations were associated with a thinner epithelium. Multiple regression analysis revealed β-blockers, prostaglandin, and number of BAK-containing instillations were significant factors. Use of β-blockers and number of BAK-containing instillations were also associated with a thinner epithelium in the monotherapy subgroup analysis. CET was significantly smaller in patients with glaucoma receiving topical medications and was affected by the use of β-blockers, prostaglandin, and BAK.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-24
Author(s):  
Shaimaa A Arfeen ◽  
◽  
Noha M Khalil ◽  
Ghada A Nassar ◽  
◽  
...  

AIM: To evaluate the changes in corneal epithelial thickness in corneal grafts following penetrating keratoplasty (PK) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), and to determine the role of epithelial thickness mapping in the early detection of graft rejection. METHODS: This prospective comparative observational study included 20 patients (20 eyes) who underwent PK as study group and 16 patients (16 eyes) as control group. Corneal epithelial thickness mapping using AS-OCT was performed at 2wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively. The parameters of epithelial thickness and distribution at the 3mo were compared to 16 patients (16 eyes) with allograft rejection following PK. RESULTS: There was significant decline in the superior, inferior, maximum, and minimum epithelial thickness values of the study group at 1mo compared to 2wk (P=0.0004, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.04 respectively) with no significant differences at 3mo compared to 1mo (P=0.4, 0.1, 0.8) respectively. Percentage of reduction in epithelial thickness was significantly higher than that of stromal thickness at 1mo compared to 2wk (P=0.04). The epithelial thickness maps showed a similar pattern of epithelial thickness distribution in the study group and in the rejection group showing considerable corneal edema. However, the allograft rejection group showed irregular pattern of epithelial thickness distribution in patients showing relatively higher central corneal thickness (CCT) as measured by pachymetry map. CONCLUSION: Quantitative assessment of graft epithelial remodeling following PK shows early changes that contribute to significant corneal graft thickness changes. Changes in corneal epithelial thickness and pattern of distribution could be used as an indicator for corneal graft rejection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1519-1524
Author(s):  
Emine Doğan ◽  
Burçin Köklü Çakır ◽  
Nilgün Özkan Aksoy ◽  
Erkan Celik ◽  
Ünal Erkorkmaz

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of topical antiglaucomatous medications on central corneal epithelial thickness measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Materials and methods: A total of 153 eyes of 153 patients using topical antiglaucomatous medications and 110 eyes of 110 control subjects were enrolled. Glaucoma type, duration of therapy, the number of drugs, and drops/day were noted in the patient group. Patients and control subjects underwent ocular examinations including Schirmer test, slit lamp examination for tear film break-up time, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography for central corneal thickness and central corneal epithelial thickness. Central corneal epithelial thickness and other data were evaluated separately with regard to glaucoma type, duration of therapy, the number of drops, and drugs in the patient group. Results: The mean ages of the patients and controls were 60.1 ± 10.8 and 58.7 ± 11.2 years, respectively. The groups were similar with regard to mean age and gender (p = 0.058, p = 0.734, respectively). The median (interquartile range) central corneal thickness was 536 (54) µm in patients and 552 (53) µm in controls (p = 0.011). The median (interquartile range) central corneal epithelial thickness of patients and controls were 56 (4) µm and 60 (8) µm, respectively (p < 0.001). The median (interquartile range) tear film break-up time and Schirmer were 12 (6) s and 10 (8) mm in patients and 16 (2) s and 18 (4) mm in controls, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). In patient group, there was no significant difference in the median central corneal thickness, central corneal epithelial thickness, and tear film break-up time in terms of glaucoma type, duration of therapy, the number of drugs, and the number of daily drops. Only the median Schirmer test was found to be statistically lower in terms of number of daily eye drops (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Using topical antiglaucomatous medications seems to affect the central corneal epithelial thickness in glaucoma patients. Central corneal epithelial thickness was thinner in glaucoma patients than controls. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography might be helpful to evaluate the effect of antiglaucomatous medications on central corneal epithelial thickness during treatment.


QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A A M E A Rezk ◽  
A Assaf ◽  
M Gamil ◽  
T Badran

Abstract Introduction The corneal epithelium is stratified epithelium that is continuously renewed and provides the frontline of defence against invading ocular pathogens and a smooth refractive surface essential for vision. In the absence of a contact lens, pre-existing ocular trauma or disease, the epithelium maintains an inaccessible defence against attacks from pathogenic microorganisms, affording a high level of resistance against microbial invasion. Aim The aim of this study is to determine the effect of chronic use of contact lens on corneal epithelium thickness using anterior segment optical coherence topography as a non- invasive diagnostic accurate measure. Patients and Methods 30 eyes of control subjects who don’t wear contact lens along their life aged between 15-45 years ,where compared with similar age group of 30 eyes of chronic contact lens users; who wear contact lens every day not less than 8 hours per day for along time interval between 6 months up to 5 years. Results The average corneal epithelial thickness in the central, paracentral and midperipheral zones was 47.767 ± 5.550 µm, 46.267 ± 5.644 µm, 44.300 ± 4.858 µm, respectively, in chronic soft contact lens users; and 49.800 ± 3.316 µm, 49.200 ± 3.367 µm, 45.733 ± 2.333 µm ,in control group who had never worn contact lens. There were insignificant thinning of corneal epithelium of soft contact group compared to control group regarding the average corneal epithelial thickness in those 3 zones. In all the 8 sectors of corneal epithelium of paracentral zone and midperipheral zones there is insignificant thinning between the two groups except for the inferior temporal sector in the paracentral zone and mid peripheral zone, which shows significant thinning in soft contact lens group compared to control group. The corneal epithelial thickness in the inferior temporal sector of paracentral and mid peripheral zones was 46.333 ± 5.677 µm, 44.933 ± 4.813 µm, respectively, in chronic soft contact lens users compared to 48.767 ± 3.266 µm, 46.900 ± 2.510 µm in control group (p = 0.046, p = 0.052, respectively). Conclusion AS-OCT helps us to evaluate the corneal epithelium of contact lens users, which could be very useful in corneal refractive surgeries in patients depending on contact lens in their lives as a comfortable refractive aid, It is necessary to do AS-OCT hand on hand with pentacam in patients underwhelming refractive surgery to give a proper assessment to their corneal epithelium before determining which type of refractive surgery suits them.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Nubile ◽  
Niccolò Salgari ◽  
Jodhbir S. Mehta ◽  
Roberta Calienno ◽  
Emanuele Erroi ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate corneal epithelium and stromal remodelling with anterior segment optical coherence tomography in patients who have undergone stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty (SLAK) for advanced keratoconus. This was a prospective non-comparative observational study. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with advanced keratoconus underwent implantation with a cadaveric, donor negative meniscus-shaped intrastromal lenticule, produced with a femtosecond laser, into a stromal pocket dissected in the recipient cornea at a depth of 120 μm. Simulated keratometry, central corneal thickness (CTT), corneal thinnest point (CTP), central epithelial thickness (CET), central and peripheral lenticule thickness, anterior and posterior stromal thickness were measured. Regional central corneal epithelial thickness (CET) and variations in the inner annular area (IAT) and outer annular area (OAT) were also analysed. All parameters were measured preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The average anterior Sim-k decreased from 59.63 ± 7.58 preoperatively to 57.19 ± 6.33 D 6 months postoperatively. CCT, CTP, CET, and OAT increased and IAT decreased significantly after 1 month. All parameters appeared unchanged at 6-months except that of OAT that further increased. Lenticule thickness was stable. In conclusion we observed that SLAK reshapes the cornea by central flattening with stromal thickening and epithelial thickness restoration.


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