Clinical observations of corneal topographic and tomographic changes in congenital ptosis eyes: a study in China

Purpose To investigate the impact of drooping eyelid on corneal topographic and tomographic alterations in congenital ptosis eyes. Methods Seventeen Chinese patients with unilateral congenital ptosis were included in this observational study. Ptosis eyes were included in the ptosis group, while normal contralateral eyes were included in the control group. The marginal reflex distance (MRD) was used to evaluate the severity of ptosis. Topographic and tomographic parameters measured by Pentacam, including keratometric, pachymetric, volumetric parameters as well as topometric indexes and D indexes, were recorded and compared between the ptosis group and the control group. Furthermore, correlation analyses were made between MRD and all measured corneal parameters. Results The value of anterior K1, Km and posterior K2, Km was significantly decreased in the ptosis eyes (p < 0.05). Corneal thickness at the pupil center point and thinnest point was significantly thicker in ptosis group compared with the ones in control group (p < 0.05). Higher ISV, IVA, KI, IHD values were observed in ptosis eyes (p < 0.05). The intergroup difference in MRD showed significant correlation with the difference in ISV (p < 0.05). Conclusion The whole corneal contour is remodeled to be flatter in ptosis eyes. The upper eyelid position was closely associated with the corneal irregularity in ptosis eyes. The reasons for the discrepancy in corneal topography and tomography between ptotic and normal eyes were complicated.

Automated summary

This study investigated the impact of drooping eyelid on corneal topographic and tomographic alterations in patients with congenital ptosis. It found that the whole corneal contour is remodeled to be flatter in ptosis eyes, and the position of the upper eyelid is closely associated with corneal irregularity.