Effect of mydriasis induced by topical 0.5% tropicamide instillation on the corneal biomechanical properties in healthy individuals measured by ocular response analyzer

Abstract

Purpose: This observational study aims to investigate the effects of tropicamide (0.5%) on corneal biomechanical properties, with the ocular response analyzer (ORA), in healthy individuals.

Methods: Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) measurements of 38 (21 female and 17 male) healthy individuals, before and after 30 min of 0.5% tropicamide instillation, were performed by using the ORA.

Results: The mean CH, CRF, IOPg and IOPcc measurements of the eyes were 10.2 ± 1.9 mmHg, 10.3 ± 2.1 mmHg, 15.7 ± 3.4 mmHg, 16.4 ± 3.3 mmHg pre-tropicamide, and 10.4 ± 1.7 mmHg, 10.3 ± 2.1 mmHg, 15.3 ± 3.4 mmHg, 15.8 ± 2.7 mmHg post-tropicamide, respectively. The differences between the pre- and post-tropicamide measurements of the eyes were insignificant (p = 0.184, p = 0.659, p = 0.294, p = 0.150, respectively; paired t-test).

Conclusions: A tropicamide instillation does not lead to significant changes in the corneal biomechanical properties. Therefore, it can be used safely in disease, i.e. in the diagnosis and follow-up ORA as it does not cause any change.

Keywords: Corneal biomechanics; ocular response analyzer; tropicamide.