The Impact of Eye Pressure on Corneal Biomechanics
Authors: Ye Y., Li Y., Zhu Z., Said A.Z.M.A., Mayopa K.N., Akiti S., Huang C., Lopes B.T., Eliasy A., Miao Y., Wang J.
Journal: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Publication Date: Nov 2021
CVS metrics collected before and after the mydriasis test in three groups
Summary:
Corneal biomechanics, the study of the physical properties of the cornea, plays a vital role in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of various eye conditions. In our recent study, we investigated the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal biomechanical metrics provided by a device called Corvis ST.
We analysed data from 233 refractive surgery patients before and after their pupils were dilated. We found that most corneal biomechanical metrics were correlated with IOP, and some were also weakly correlated with central corneal thickness (CCT). This means that changes in IOP and CCT should be considered when studying corneal biomechanics and how they are affected by disease progression or medical procedures.
Our findings have important implications for detecting subclinical keratoconus in patients undergoing refractive surgery. The Stiffness Parameter (SP-A1), which has been shown to have a strong association with corneal stiffness, could be influenced by IOP changes, potentially impacting its ability to detect keratoconus.
Moreover, our research highlights the need for caution when comparing research groups based on Corvis ST with different IOPs and CCTs, as not considering these factors in the analysis may lead to misinterpretations. In conclusion, most parameters provided by Corvis ST, including some stiffness parameters, are influenced by IOP. Further studies are needed to explore the potential impact of mydriasis on corneal microstructure and biomechanical properties.