Corneal densitometry and biomechanical properties in patients with primary congenital glaucoma

Objective: To describe corneal densitometry, topographic measurements, and biomechanical properties in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and healthy patients. To examine correlations between variables and determine their glaucoma diagnostic capacity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, case-control study conducted in 50 eyes of 50 patients with PCG (G1) and 40 eyes of 40 healthy patients (G2). The variables determined in each participant were: intraocular pressure, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal densitometry, topographic data using the Pentacam HR-Scheimpflug imaging system (Oculus Optikgerate GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), and corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) using the Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Depew, NY). Results: Overall densitometry was significatively higher in the PCG group (G1: 17.94 +/- 4.99 vs G2: 13.25 +/- 1.96, p < 0.001). CH (G1: 8.02 +/- 11.35 vs G2: 11.35 +/- 1.42, p < 0.001) and CRF (G1: 9.48 +/- 2.83 vs G2: 10.77 +/- 1.34, p < 0.001) were lower in the glaucoma group. Mean posterior, central, and anterior elevation and mean keratometry were higher in G1 (p < 0.05). In the PCG group, overall densitometry showed significant correlation with CH (r = -0.321, p = 0.028) and with BCVA (r = -0.498, p = 0.002). AUCs (areas under the curve) for CH and overall densitometry were high (0.839 and 0.899 respectively) and the best overall densitometry; CH and CRF cutoffs were 14.0, 9.3 and 9.2 respectively. Conclusion: Densitometry is increased, and biomechanical corneal properties are decreased in patients with PCG. Densitometry and visual acuity showed a negative and significant correlation, so this measurement could be used as an indirect parameter of BCVA in the clinical practice.

Automated summary

The study found that corneal densitometry increases and biomechanical corneal properties decrease in patients with PCG. Densitometry and visual acuity are negatively correlated, suggesting that densitometry can be used as an indirect parameter of BCVA in clinical practice.