title: Corneal Densitometry, Central Corneal Thickness, and Corneal Central-to-Peripheral Thickness Ratio in Patients With Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to quantify Scheimpflug corneal densitometry in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the charts and anterior segment data of 49 patients with FED before posterior lamellar keratoplasty and 51 healthy controls. The patients were examined using the Scheimpflug-based Oculus Pentacam. Central corneal thickness (CCT), ring-averaged (on a circle of 2, 2.4-10 mm diameter) noncentral corneal thickness, and densitometry data in different corneal layers and in different annuli were extracted and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total corneal light backscatter at total corneal thickness (CT) and at total diameter was significantly higher in the FED group when compared with the control group (FED group: 28.8 ± 6.7; control group: 24.3 ± 4.1; P < 0.001). When the corneal surface was divided into concentric annular zones at total CT, the differences were significant only in the 2 central annuli (P < 0.001). The total corneal light backscatter at total CT in the central 0-2 mm annulus correlated moderately with the central corneal thickness (Pearson's correlation = 0.55, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corneal light backscatter in the central cornea was greater in patients with FED than in normal subjects. Corneal densitometry enables us to evaluate the optical quality of the cornea in different corneal layers and in different annuli. It is a useful, objective method that, in combination with central corneal thickness and corneal central-to-peripheral thickness ratio, can help to quantify FED severity.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology, University of Muenster Medical Center, Muenster, Germany; and †Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Maged
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alnawaiseh
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zumhagen
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wirths
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eveslage
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eter
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosentreter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry / Q000379:methods; D019781:Corneal Topography / Q000379:methods; D003720:Densitometry / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005642:Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies