Effect of Pseudoexfoliation on Corneal Transparency.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a comparison of the corneal optical density (COD) parameters in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) and age-matched controls.


METHODS
This study was designed as a prospective cross-sectional study. Pentacam HR-Scheimpflug imaging system was used to observe the COD of PES, normal fellow, and normal control eyes. Forty-two patients with unilateral PES and 40 age- and sex-matched normal subjects were included. Group 1 included eyes with PES, group 2 included the clinically unaffected fellow eyes, and group 3 included right eyes of healthy patients. Main outcome measures were densitometry values of the cornea.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between groups in means of central corneal thickness (P > 0.05). Eyes of unilateral PES patients and eyes of controls differed in COD parameters. Mean total COD in group 1 eyes (21.9 ± 4.9) and group 2 eyes (21.95 ± 5.1) was higher than that in group 3 eyes (17.72 ± 4.7) (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
This research demonstrates that the presence of pseudoexfoliation material can cause decrease in the transparency of clear cornea.
*Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey; and †Ophthalmology Clinic, Ulucanlar Eye Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Ali Bulent
AB
Cankaya
Kemal
K
Tekin
Merve
M
Inanc
D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003720:Densitometry; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology