title: Evaluation of the impact of persistent subepithelial corneal infiltrations on the visual performance and corneal optical quality after epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aim was to measure the effect of persistent subepithelial corneal infiltrates (SEIs) after epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) on visual performance and corneal optical quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 53 patients divided into two groups. Patients with previous EKC constituted the study group (Group 1, n: 27). Healthy age matched subjects constituted the control group (Group 2, n: 26). Study group was subdivided into eyes with SEI (Group 1A, 40 eyes) and healthy fellow eyes (Group 1B, 14 eyes). Patients were submitted to a complete examination including high- and low-contrast visual acuities (HCVA, LCVA), corneal topography and aberrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean interval between epidemic conjunctivitis and examination was 7.25 ± 5.63 months. Mean number of corneal infiltrates was 17.30 ± 14.38. The mean HCVA and LCVA were significantly lower in the eyes with SEI than fellow eyes and control group (p = 0.001). LCVA value was also worse in the fellow eyes when compared to control (p = 0.048). Corneal topography values were significantly higher in the eyes with SEI from both fellow eyes and control group. During corneal aberrometry, the mean root mean square value of spheric aberration, irregular astigmatism and total aberration were significantly higher in SEI group when compared to fellow eyes and control group (p < 0.05). Total aberrations were higher than control subjects in the fellow eyes. Trefoil aberration was higher in SEI group only when compared to control subjects, while there was no significant difference in coma aberration values between the groups (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study suggested that visual performance is compromised in patients with EKC by aberrations and changes in topographic variables.
authors.affiliation: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Education and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinics, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aydin Kurna
authors.affiliation: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Education and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinics, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altun
authors.affiliation: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Education and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinics, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aynur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oflaz
authors.affiliation: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Education and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinics, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karatay Arsan
mesh_terms: D057128:Aberrometry; D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000821:virology*; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: corneal aberrometry; corneal topography; epidemic keratoconjunctivitis; low-contrast visual acuity; subepithelial corneal infiltrations