Corneal imaging and densitometry measurements to monitor fuchs progression and treatments outcomes

Abstract

PurposeFuchs’ dystrophy is a degenerative disease of the corneal endothelium leading to corneal edema and eventually to loss of vision. There are several treatment options including corneal transplantation, which can be full (Penetrating Keratoplasty) or partial (Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty) thickness. Disease progression and treatment out comes are normally monitored by corneal thickness and visual acuity. In this study, we have used the new densitometry software for the Oculus Pentacam to compare the corneal clarity measurement between Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) and Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) in patients with Fuchs dystrophyMethodsA retrospective comparative study was carried out at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Data collection of one year after the corneal transplantation for 23 Fuchs dystrophy patients, including; best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal densitometry, central corneal thickness (CCT) was analysedResultsAnalysis of densitometry measurements found higher corneal densitometry after PK than DSAEK in the posterior layer between 2 and 6 mm from the centre but it was not significant. There were no significant correlation between CCT and corneal densitometry. Corneal densitometry was found to be significantly correlated with BCVA inthe central 0–2 mm zone. This correlation differed in corneal depth, in PK it was with the posterior layer but in DSAEK it was with the anterior stroma These difference were found to be significant between the two group (p˂005.).ConclusionsThere were different outcomes in the corneal densitometry measurement after different type of corneal transplantation. Oculus Pentacam provides an objective evaluation to monitor the cornea status. Further investigation with prospective design, a longer study period and larger sample size are now underway.