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Abtahi MA, Beheshtnejad AH, Latifi G, Akbari-Kamrani M, Ghafarian S, Masoomi A, Sonbolastan SA, Jahanbani-Ardakani H, Atighechian M, Banan L, Nouri H, Abtahi SH. Corneal Epithelial Thickness Mapping: A Major Review. J Ophthalmol 2024; 2024:6674747. [PMID: 38205099 PMCID: PMC10776199 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6674747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The corneal epithelium (CE) is the outermost layer of the cornea with constant turnover, relative stability, remarkable plasticity, and compensatory properties to mask alterations in the underlying stroma. The advent of quantitative imaging modalities capable of producing epithelial thickness mapping (ETM) has made it possible to characterize better the different patterns of epithelial remodeling. In this comprehensive synthesis, we reviewed all available data on ETM with different methods, including very high-frequency ultrasound (VHF-US) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in normal individuals, corneal or systemic diseases, and corneal surgical scenarios. We excluded OCT studies that manually measured the corneal epithelial thickness (CET) (e.g., by digital calipers) or the CE (e.g., by confocal scanning or handheld pachymeters). A comparison of different CET measuring technologies and devices capable of producing thickness maps is provided. Normative data on CET and the possible effects of gender, aging, diurnal changes, refraction, and intraocular pressure are discussed. We also reviewed ETM data in several corneal disorders, including keratoconus, corneal dystrophies, recurrent epithelial erosion, herpes keratitis, keratoplasty, bullous keratopathy, carcinoma in situ, pterygium, and limbal stem cell deficiency. The available data on the potential role of ETM in indicating refractive surgeries, planning the procedure, and assessing postoperative changes are reviewed. Alterations in ETM in systemic and ocular conditions such as eyelid abnormalities and dry eye disease and the effects of contact lenses, topical medications, and cataract surgery on the ETM profile are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Golshan Latifi
- Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sadegh Ghafarian
- Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Masoomi
- Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | | | - Laleh Banan
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hosein Nouri
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed-Hossein Abtahi
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Yu N, Ye Y, Chen P, Yang Y, Zhuang J, Yu K. Corneal Epithelial Thickness Changes Following SMILE for Myopia With High Astigmatism. J Refract Surg 2021; 37:224-230. [PMID: 34038662 DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20210126-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the corneal epithelial thickness (CET) profile changes after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery for myopic astigmatism correction of greater than 2.00 diopters (D). METHODS This prospective observational study included 40 eyes (23 patients) treated with SMILE for myopia with cylinders of -2.25 to -4.50 D. Along with standard ophthalmic examinations, CET maps with a diameter of 9 mm were measured by high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography preoperatively and postoperatively. Correlations between the degree of residual astigmatism and the difference in CET values between preoperative flat and steep meridians were analyzed. RESULTS The CET showed significant changes in the central (2 mm), paracentral (2 to 5 mm), midperipheral (5 to 7 mm), and peripheral (7 to 9 mm) zones 6 months after SMILE (P < .001). Among the regions, the CET in the paracentral zones displayed the largest increase (9.75%) with the highest average thickness (57.29 µm). Moreover, symmetrical regional epithelial thickening at the preoperative astigmatism axis was observed in the midperipheral zones. The difference in CET between preoperative flat and steep meridians in the mid-peripheral zones continuously increased from postoperative 1 day to 6 months. This difference was positively correlated with the residual cylinder errors at 6 months postoperatively (r = -0.334, P = .035). CONCLUSIONS The 9-mm diameter CET in eyes with high astigmatism significantly increased 6 months after SMILE. Additionally, the difference in CET between preoperative flat and steep meridians in midperipheral zones may be related to astigmatic undercorrection in SMILE. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(4):224-230.].
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Latifi G, Mohammadi SS. Repeatability and agreement of total corneal and sublayer pachymetry with 2 different algorithms of Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography in myopic and postphotorefractive keratectomy eyes. J Cataract Refract Surg 2020; 46:1644-1651. [PMID: 33259389 DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate repeatability and agreement of total corneal and sublayer pachymetry with 2 different algorithms of Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in myopic and postphotorefractive keratectomy (PRK) eyes. SETTING Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. DESIGN Prospective observational study. METHODS Total corneal, epithelial, and stromal thicknesses were measured using RTVue-XR OCT with Pachymetry + Cpwr (6.0 mm algorithm) and PachymetryWide (9.0 mm algorithm) scan patterns. The repeatability of 25 zones of 9.0 mm map and 17 zones of 6.0 mm map and the agreement between measurements of these 2 algorithms were calculated. RESULTS Ninety-five myopic and 117 post-PRK patients were evaluated. By the 9.0 mm algorithm, coefficient of variation (CoV) for total cornea was 2.33% or lesser and 2.49% or lesser and for epithelium was 5.14% or lesser and 5.18% or lesser; and by the 6.0 mm algorithm, CoV for total cornea was 1.80% or lesser and 2.59% or lesser and for epithelial thickness was 3.08% or lesser and 4.80% or lesser in myopic and post-PRK eyes, respectively. Bland-Altman mean difference for epithelial thickness was 0.69 or lesser and 1.16 or lesser and 95% limits of agreement for epithelial thickness was 6.81 or lesser and 8.56 or lesser in myopic and post-PRK eyes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Good repeatability was seen in measurements of total corneal, stromal, and epithelial thicknesses by both algorithms. Agreement of the 2 algorithms in central zone was also good. However, large range of variation in paracentral thickness measurements did not allow us to consider these algorithms as interchangeable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golshan Latifi
- From the Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Mohr N, Shajari M, Krause D, Kassumeh S, Siedlecki J, Priglinger SG, Mayer WJ, Luft N. Pellucid marginal degeneration versus keratoconus: distinction with wide-field SD-OCT corneal sublayer pachymetry. Br J Ophthalmol 2020; 105:1638-1644. [PMID: 33055086 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-316496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the capability of wide-field spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) corneal sublayer pachymetry to distinguish between keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD). METHODS This prospective cross-sectional study included 69 eyes (59 with keratoconus and 10 with PMD) of 69 patients. All patients were examined three subsequent times with the RTVue XR system. Pachymetry maps of the total cornea (CT), the epithelium (ET) and the stroma were generated using the onboard software. For analysis of reliability, the coefficients of variation and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to elaborate the most accurate pachymetric parameters for distinguishing between PMD and keratoconus. RESULTS Overall repeatability of (sublayer) pachymetry was comparably good in both keratoconus (ICC ranging between 0.827 and 0.986) and PMD (ICC ranging between 0.753 and 0.998). Measurement reliability in keratoconic eyes was a negative function of Kmax (p<0.05). As compared with keratoconus, PMD exhibited higher CT (526±31 µm vs 503±30 µm; p=0.02) and ET (56±7 µm vs 51±5 µm; p=0.02) in the inferotemporal 2-5 mm sector as well as lower ET in the inferior 7-9 mm sector (52±5 µm vs 57±5 µm; p<0.01). The calculated ratio between CT in the inferotemporal 2-5 mm and in the inferior 7-9 mm sector yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between PMD and keratoconus with an area under the curve of 0.977 and an optimal cut-off value of 0.90. CONCLUSION Wide-field SD-OCT corneal sublayer pachymetry showed good reliability in PMD and keratoconus and may be useful to differentiate between the two ectatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Mohr
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Mehdi Shajari
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Daniel Krause
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Kassumeh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Jakob Siedlecki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,SMILE Eyes Clinic, Linz, Austria
| | - Siegfried G Priglinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,SMILE Eyes Clinic, Linz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang J Mayer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Luft
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany .,SMILE Eyes Clinic, Linz, Austria
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Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate corneal sublayer alterations during the postoperative period after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). SETTING Synslaser clinic, Oslo, Norway. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective. METHODS Patients who underwent SMILE for treating myopia were included. The thicknesses of the corneal epithelium, cap, stromal part of the cap (StromaCap), residual stromal bed (StromaRes), and total stroma (StromaTot) were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative changes in the corneal sublayer thicknesses were analyzed and correlated with changes in spherical equivalence and anterior and posterior keratometry (K). RESULTS The study was based on analyses of the right eyes of 51 patients. From 1 day to 6 months postoperatively, the corneal epithelium, cap, StromaCap, StromaRes, and StromaTot thicknesses increased from 54.4 ± 4.0 µm to 57.3 ± 5.2 µm; 137.1 ± 5.5 µm to 140.3 ± 5.1 µm; 82.7 ± 5.9 µm to 82.8 ± 6.3 µm; 375.0 ± 40.8 µm to 381.4 ± 30.6 µm; and 457.6 ± 41.1 µm to 462.1 ± 36.7 µm, respectively. Between 1 month and 6 months postoperatively, the increase in anterior K correlated significantly with the thickening of the cap (r = 0.37, P = .03) and the stromal component of the cap (r = 0.36, P = .04) within the central cornea. CONCLUSIONS The post-SMILE remodeling behavior between the anterior (StromaCap) and posterior (StromaRes) stroma were dissimilar. There was a significant correlation between changes in anterior K and the central cap and the stromal component of the cap. This might be because of biomechanical changes, tissue remodeling, and wound healing or a combination of some or all of the aforementioned processes.
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Hashmani N, Hashmani M, Asghar N, Islam M, Hashmani S. Wide Stromal Mapping Using an Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography. Clin Ophthalmol 2020; 14:751-757. [PMID: 32210528 PMCID: PMC7073963 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s242035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To quantify and assess the reproducibility of the corneal stromal thickness profiles captured by the SD-OCT. Secondly, we correlated the zonal thicknesses to the age, gender and axial length. Methods We included 227 normal eyes of 227 patients with a maximum hypermetropia of +5 and myopia of –6 diopters (D). Subjects with an intraocular pressure exceeding 22 mm Hg, evidence of cataract formation, history of ophthalmic surgery or disease were excluded. Lastly, reproducibility was evaluated in a subset of 50 participants by means of an identical scan protocol repeated by 2 different OCT operators. Results Stromal values were consistently thicker in the peripheral cornea (p<0.001). Age was negatively correlated with approximately every sector of the stroma with notable exceptions of the center (r=0.117, p=0.088) and the superior inner (r=0.057, 0.409), middle (r=0.086, p=0.209) and outer locations (r=0.120, p=0.079). There was no statistical significance in most sectors when looking at the axial length, gender and K1/K2. This method was highly reproducible in terms of both the ICC and COV. Conclusion Corneal stromal mapping is highly reproducible and shows a negative correlation to age. Additionally, the periphery of the stroma is consistently thicker to the center. Other variables like gender and axial length show no relationship to the corneal stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nauman Hashmani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Hashmanis Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Maria Hashmani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Hashmanis Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Noureen Asghar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Hashmanis Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mahnoor Islam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Hashmanis Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sharif Hashmani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Hashmanis Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
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Luft N, Siedlecki J, Schworm B, Dirisamer M, Priglinger SG. „Small incision lenticule extraction“ (SMILE): eine Standortbestimmung. SPEKTRUM DER AUGENHEILKUNDE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00717-019-00444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Lu NJ, Chen D, Cui LL, Wang L, Chen SH, Wang QM. Repeatability of Cornea and Sublayer Thickness Measurements Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Corneas of Anomalous Refractive Status. J Refract Surg 2019; 35:600-605. [DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20190806-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Fernández J, Rodríguez-Vallejo M, Martínez J, Tauste A, Piñero DP. Corneal biomechanics after laser refractive surgery: Unmasking differences between techniques. J Cataract Refract Surg 2018; 44:390-398. [PMID: 29615281 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2017.10.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The hypothesis that small-incision lenticule extraction provides better preservation of corneal biomechanics than previous laser refractive techniques has led to a growth in the interest in clinical and experimental research in this field. This hypothesis is based on the fact that corneal layers with greater stiffness are preserved with this new technique. However, this hypothesis is controversial because clinical research has shown a great disparity in the outcomes. In this review, we performed an in-depth analysis of the factors that might affect corneal biomechanics in laser refractive surgery procedures from a macrostructural to a microstructural viewpoint. New advances in algorithms with current devices or the introduction of new devices might help unmask the possible advantages of small-incision lenticule extraction in corneal biomechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Fernández
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (Qvision) (Fernández, Rodríguez-Vallejo, Martínez, Tauste), Vithas Virgen del Mar Hospital and the Department of Ophthalmology (Fernández, Piñero), Torrecárdenas Hospital Complex, Almería, and the Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy (Piñero), University of Alicante, and the Department of Ophthalmology (Piñero), Vithas Medimar International Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Manuel Rodríguez-Vallejo
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (Qvision) (Fernández, Rodríguez-Vallejo, Martínez, Tauste), Vithas Virgen del Mar Hospital and the Department of Ophthalmology (Fernández, Piñero), Torrecárdenas Hospital Complex, Almería, and the Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy (Piñero), University of Alicante, and the Department of Ophthalmology (Piñero), Vithas Medimar International Hospital, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Javier Martínez
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (Qvision) (Fernández, Rodríguez-Vallejo, Martínez, Tauste), Vithas Virgen del Mar Hospital and the Department of Ophthalmology (Fernández, Piñero), Torrecárdenas Hospital Complex, Almería, and the Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy (Piñero), University of Alicante, and the Department of Ophthalmology (Piñero), Vithas Medimar International Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - Ana Tauste
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (Qvision) (Fernández, Rodríguez-Vallejo, Martínez, Tauste), Vithas Virgen del Mar Hospital and the Department of Ophthalmology (Fernández, Piñero), Torrecárdenas Hospital Complex, Almería, and the Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy (Piñero), University of Alicante, and the Department of Ophthalmology (Piñero), Vithas Medimar International Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | - David P Piñero
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (Qvision) (Fernández, Rodríguez-Vallejo, Martínez, Tauste), Vithas Virgen del Mar Hospital and the Department of Ophthalmology (Fernández, Piñero), Torrecárdenas Hospital Complex, Almería, and the Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy (Piñero), University of Alicante, and the Department of Ophthalmology (Piñero), Vithas Medimar International Hospital, Alicante, Spain
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Luft N, Priglinger SG, Ring MH, Mayer WJ, Mursch-Edlmayr AS, Kreutzer TC, Bolz M, Dirisamer M. Stromal remodeling and lenticule thickness accuracy in small-incision lenticule extraction: One-year results. J Cataract Refract Surg 2017; 43:812-818. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2017.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ryu IH, Kim BJ, Lee JH, Kim SW. Comparison of Corneal Epithelial Remodeling After Femtosecond Laser–Assisted LASIK and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE). J Refract Surg 2017; 33:250-256. [DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20170111-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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