Comparison of different methods for the measurement of central and paracentral corneal thickness in post-LASIK eyes

Abstract

Background Accurate measurement of corneal thickness is very important during the pre-and post-operative management of corneal surgical procedures,especially laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK),which is the most popular approach to the correction of refractive errors currently.This may be particularly important for the patients who have undergone previous laser refractive surgery with suboptimal outcomes and are being considered for an enhancement procedure.Objective This study was to compare the measuring outcomes of corneal thickness by slit-scanning pachymetry,non-contact specular microscope,anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT)and ultrasound pachymetry,with a focus on central and midperipheral (from the central 3.0 mm) region of cornea in post-LASIK eyes.Methods Sixty-four right eyes of 64 patients who received LASIK were collected in Henan Eye Institute,Henan Eye Hospital from March to June 2011 with the equivalent spherical diopter of (-4.75±2.38)D and horizontal corneal diameter of (11.36±0.32)mm.Central corneal thickness was measured on each eye by using non-contact specular microscope (Topcon SP-3000P),slit-scanning pachymetry (Orbscan Ⅱ),AS-OCT and A-type ultrasound pachymetry,respectively,and the paracentral corneal thickness including 12:00,2:00,6:00 and 10:00 meridian was measured using Orbscan Ⅱ,non-contact specular microscope and AS-OCT.The measuring values and the agreement from different instruments were compared and evaluated.Results The mean central corneal thickness was (467.12±31.10)tμm for AS-OCT,(466.67±30.99)μm for ultrasound pachymetry,(441.84 ± 33.65) μm for specular microscopy and (422.51 ± 44.09) μm for Orbsan Ⅱ,respectively,showing a significant difference among the four methods (F =23.730,P =0.000).The central thickness value of the A-type ultrasound pachymetry was significantly higher than that of Orbsan Ⅱ or non-contact specular microscope (q =6.940,6.720,both at P =0.000).Compared with Orbscan Ⅱ,the measuring values of non-contact specular microscope and AS-OCT were significantly higher (q =-5.54,6.940,both at P =0.000),and the measuring value of AS-OCT was significantly higher that of non-contact specular microscope (q =6.800,P =0.000).The lowest difference value (25.3 μm)and the best agreement was found between the ultrasound pachymetry and AS-OCT.The paracentral corneal thickness values in 12:00,2:00,10:00,6:00 meridians were highest for Orbsan Ⅱ and the next for AS-OCT,and non-contact specular microscope had the lowest values,with significantly differences among them (F =5.020,22.950,67.890,18.850,all at P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The corneal thickness values vary with the different instruments.Orbsan Ⅱ underestimates the central corneal thickness and overestimates the midperipheral corneal thickness,and non-contact specular microscope underestimates both the central and midperipheral corneal thickness.The measuring outcome from AS-OCT has a good agreement with ultrasound pachymetry and therefore they can be used interchangeably. Key words: Corneal thickness; Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis; Specular microscope; Anterior segment optical coherence tomography; Orbscan Ⅱ ; Ultrasound pachymetry