Evaluation of scleral and corneal thickness in keratoconus patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the scleral stroma is affected as much as the corneal stroma in keratoconus.


METHODS
University Eye Clinic, Bern, Switzerland.


METHODS
Comparative case-control study.


METHODS
Eyes with keratoconus (keratoconus group) and eyes of age-, sex-, and axial length-matched controls (control group) were analyzed. Corneal videokeratometry and pachymetry were performed using a Scheimpflug tomographer (Pentacam). For measurements of the peripheral cornea and the anterior sclera, a spectral-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography device (Spectralis) was used.


RESULTS
The study group comprised 51 eyes and the control group, 50 eyes. The mean central corneal thickness in the keratoconus group was statistically significantly lower than in the control group (447.8 μm ± 57.8 [SD] versus 550.5 ± 35.5 μm) (P < .0001). No significant difference in the mean anterior scleral thickness was found between the keratoconus group and the control group (479.1 ± 43.7 μm versus 474.2 ± 43.0 μm) (P =.57).


CONCLUSIONS
Although corneal thinning was observed in keratoconus patients, the anterior scleral stroma thickness in these patients seemed to be similar to that in healthy control eyes.
From the Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Bettina
B
Schlatter
From the Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Marco
M
Beck
From the Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Beatrice E
BE
Frueh
From the Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Christoph
C
Tappeiner
From the Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: m.zinkernagel@gmail.com.
Martin
M
Zinkernagel
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058452:Axial Length, Eye; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry / Q000379:methods; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D012590:Sclera / Q000473:pathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D055815:Young Adult