Corneal biomechanics in a pediatric population

Abstract

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between biomechanical corneal parameters and axial length in a pediatric population.MethodsWe conducted a prospective study that included 82 eyes from 41 pediatric patients. All patients were submitted to a complete ophthalmologic examination that included autorefractometry (before and after pharmacological cycloplegia), slit lamp and fundus examination, ocular tonometry. Additionally, the patients underwent examination with Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments Inc., Depew, NY) to determine corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF) and with Aladdin biometer (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) to determine axial length (AL) and central corneal thickness (CCT). Statistical analysis was performed using IBMSPSS Statistics 26.ResultsOur study included 82 eyes, from 41 patients (63.41% female, 36.59% male). The average age was 13.29 years old (12.92 in females, 13.93 in males). Average CH, CRF, and spherical power, respectively, were similar between sexes: 12.30 mmHg, 12.47 mmHg, −0.70 D respectively in females, 12.89 mmHg, 13.31 mmHg and −1.27 D respectively in males. Mean AL and CCT are larger in males than in females, in a statistically significantmanner. Average AL is 23.69 mm in females, 24.52 mm in males (p = 0.007) and average CCT is 0.558 mm in females and 0.583 mm in males (p = 0.003). We also found a statistically significant moderate negative correlation between CH and AL in the pediatric population (Pearson’s r of −0.350, p = 0.001), and also in both sexes (Pearson’s r of −0.419, p = 0.002 in females and −0.437, p = 0.016 in males).ConclusionsOur study reveals that in the pediatric population, at similar age, males have a thicker central cornea and longer axial length. Furthermore, in these patients, a high axial length is correlated to a low corneal hysteresis. Further studies are needed to explore these data and to confirm these findings in adults.