Corneal Epi̇theli̇al Thi̇ckness Mappi̇ng Results In Low, Mid And Hi̇gh Myopic Eyes Using Optical Coherence Tomography

To determine the corneal epithelial thicknesses (CET) in myopic eyes in Turkish population. We evaluated CET in myopic groups (low, mid, high), according to the following parameters: Age, gender, intraocular pressure (IOP) and keratometric power (K).

 This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study. We measured CET in myopic groups (low (<3D), mid (3≤-<6D) and high (6D≤ )) with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 25 zones within the central circle of 9 mms. 

We examined the relationship between corneal epithelium and intraocular pressure by correlation analysis and the relationship between age and corneal epithelium by regression analysis. Exclusion criteria were keratoconus, previous eye surgery, glaucoma, high astigmatism (>3 D) and dry eye disease.

202 eyes of 101 patients (62 females and 39 males) were evaluated. The mean age was 28,63±6,31 (18 to 45) years. The difference between the epithelial thicknesses at the zones and the patient age, and gender was found statistically insignificant in the myopic patients. Mean IOP was 17.23 ±2.89 (11-27) mmHg. We found a negative correlation of the IOP and CET between the superior and superonasal 7 mms zones. The epithelium thickness was found to be reduced and the IOP was found to be high. The epithelium in the inferior zones was significantly thicker in all eyes comparing with the superior zones. There was no statistically significant difference between the nasal and temporal zones.

This study has analyzed 25 CET zones within the central 9 mm circle of the cornea. The results may help the decision-making for refractive procedures in myopic patients and the prediction of corneal pathologies.