Corneal profile in primary congenital glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate biomechanical and ultrastructural corneal parameters and ocular biometrics in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) as compared to unaffected fellow eyes and age-matched healthy controls.

METHODS: A total of 12 patients with treated unilateral PCG and 10 normal subjects were evaluated. LENSTAR was performed to determine biometric parameters; the ocular response analyser was employed to determine biomechanical properties and slit-scanning confocal microscopy was used for evaluation of corneal ultrastucture.

RESULTS: Axial length was significantly higher and mean keratometry in affected eyes was significantly flatter in affected eyes as compared to fellow eyes and normal controls (p < 0.05), and a negative correlation was present between axial length and mean keratometry (p < 0.05). Mean aqueous depth and anterior chamber depth were increased in affected eyes as compared to fellow eyes and normal controls (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in central corneal thickness (CCT) among affected eyes, fellow eyes and normal controls. Corneal hysteresis (CH) was significantly reduced in affected eyes (p < 0.05) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) was also reduced in the affected eyes as compared to fellow eyes and normal controls, although not statistically significant. Mean endothelial cell density was reduced in the affected eyes compared to fellow eyes and normal controls (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Corneal biometrics, biomechanical parameters and ultrastructural features are altered in eyes affected with PCG despite clinically normal and clear corneas. These findings should be considered in the preoperative assessment of intraocular or corneal surgery in these patients.