Corneal biomechanics in different age groups

Abstract

Purpose: To report on the corneal biomechanical characteristics, namely the corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), as well as the intraocular pressure (IOP) goldman compensated (IOPg), and the cornea compensated (IOPcc), using the ocular response analyzer (ORA) in different age groups in a cohort of normal individuals from the second decade to the seventh decade and beyond.

Patients and methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted on 997 eyes of 508 normal individuals presenting for a routine ophthalmic examination at Alexandria Main University Hospital in Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. The study subjects were age stratified into decades (10-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, > 50) and the ORA parameters (CH, CRF, IOPg, IOPcc) reported and stratified. Correlations were sought between the ORA parameters and the age, gender, and laterality.

Results: The study was conducted on 997 (502 right) eyes of 508 (234 males) normal individuals. The mean ± SD ages of the study groups were 14.7 ± 3.2, 25.9 ± 3.0, 35.3 ± 2.8, 44.6 ± 2.9, and 61.1 ± 7.7 years. The mean ± SD of the CH in the study groups were 10.9 ± 2.4, 9.8 ± 1.5, 9.8 ± 1.4, 9.7 ± 1.7, and 9.5 ± 1.6 mmHg and of the CRF were 10.9 ± 2.4, 9.5 ± 1.7, 9.4 ± 1.8, 9.6 ± 1.9, and 9.6 ± 1.8 mmHg. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between age and each of CH and CRF. IOPcc demonstrated a fairly constant trend in the different age groups whereas IOPg demonstrated an initial decline followed by a gradual rise over time.

Conclusion: The corneal biomechanical properties CH and CRF decrease with age. IOPg and IOPcc change minimally with age.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Cornea; Hysteresis; IOP; Resistance factor.