Abstract
Introduction: Corneal biomechanics is a relatively new discipline of research that focuses on the physical and biological interactions in the anterior part of the eye. Corneal biomechanics is influenced by a wide range of variables, including environmental influences, hydration, and hormone changes. Central Corneal Thickness (CCT), Intraocular Pressure (IOP), and age are other variables that might impact the corneas. The biomechanical properties of the cornea, at any level of cell to tissue to the sub-organ, might cause serious corneal diseases. Aim: To measure the corneal biomechanial properties in healthy Saudi females. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 53 right eyes of Saudi female participants from April 2021 to April 2022. The IOP, CCT, and the corneal biomechanical properties at the first applanation (timeT1, velocity-V1, length-L1, deformation amplitude-DA1), second applanation (time-T2, velocity-V2, length-L2, deformation amplitude-DA2), highest concavity (Highest Concavity Time-HCT, Highest Concavity Radius-HCR, Highest Concavity Deformation Amplitude-HCDA), and Peak Distance (PD) were evaluated by using Corneal Visualisation Scheimpflug Technology (CST) whereas, Ocular Response Analyser (ORA) was used for the comparison of biomechanical properties. The statistical analysis of the data was done by applying statistical package IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 24) and conducting Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests. Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.74±1.89 years, mean Spherical Equivalent (SE) refraction was -1.41±1.97 Diopters (D), the mean IOP was 16.82±1.96 mmHg, and the mean CCT was 569.43±27.22 μm for the right eyes. The results showed that the two most affecting factors in the biomechanical parameters were IOP and CCT. A potential association was found between first applanation time (T1) and corneal speed during the first applanation (V1) for both IOP and CCT (p<0.001) in the linear regression analysis, while a significant difference was observed in V1 (p=0.029) in SE. In the second applanation, a significant association was found in T2 with IOP (p<0.001) and CCT, cord length of the second applanation (L2) with CCT, and V2 with SE, IOP, and CCT was observed. A significant association between time and SE (p=0.034) was notice in the highest concavity parameter. However, deformation amplitude exhibited the significant association between SE and IOP, radius with IOP and CCT, and the PD with SE, IOP, and CCT (p<0.001). Conclusion: Most of the corneal biomechanical parameters were affected with CCT and IOP. Thus, the biomechanical characteristics of the cornea can be used to compare normal eyes with pathological eyes.
Published Version
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