Corneal thickness and volume measurements by swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography in normal subjects

Curr Eye Res. 2013 May;38(5):531-6. doi: 10.3109/02713683.2012.745878. Epub 2013 Feb 28.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal volume (CV) in healthy eyes using swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-AS-OCT) and other devices.

Methods: Thirty-three healthy right eyes of 33 subjects were investigated. CCT was measured with SS-AS-OCT, rotating Scheimpflug camera, ultrasonic pachymetry and specular microscopy. CV was determined within a diameter of 10 mm at the center using SS-AS-OCT and Scheimpflug camera.

Results: Mean CCT was 523.5 ± 25.2 μm by SS-AS-OCT, 523.9 ± 26.1 μm by Scheimpflug camera, 532.1 ± 26.6 μm by ultrasonic pachymetry, and 525.5 ± 33.5 μm by specular microscopy. The CCTs measured with SS-AS-OCT, Scheimpflug camera and specular microscopy were significantly thinner than those measured with ultrasonic pachymeter (p < 0.001). The mean CV within a diameter of 10 mm at the center was 57.2 ± 3.0 mm(3) by SS-AS-OCT and 59.4 ± 2.9 mm(3) by Scheimpflug camera. Scheimpflug measurements of CV were statistically larger than SS-AS-OCT measurements (p = 0.0008). Statistically significant correlation was found between the CCT and CV measurements of each imaging devices (p < 0.0001, r = 0.527, and p < 0.0001, r = 0.749, respectively).

Conclusion: SS-AS-OCT enables the measurements of CCT and CV, demonstrating agreement with other devices. CV in addition to CCT measurement may serve as a practical parameter of the corneal endothelial pump function.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anterior Eye Segment / anatomy & histology
  • Anterior Eye Segment / diagnostic imaging
  • Cornea / anatomy & histology*
  • Cornea / diagnostic imaging*
  • Corneal Pachymetry / standards*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photography / instrumentation
  • Photography / standards*
  • Reference Values
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / standards*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Young Adult