Does severity of dermatochalasis in aging affect corneal biomechanical properties?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of a relationship between corneal biomechanical properties and different grades of dermatochalasis.


METHODS
Patients were assigned to four groups according to the severity of their dermatochalasis: normal (Group 1), mild (Group 2), moderate (Group 3), and severe (Group 4). An Ocular Response Analyzer device was used to measure corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc).


RESULTS
We found no significant differences in the mean values of the CH, CRF, and IOPcc of all groups (P=0.75, P=0.93, and P=0.11, respectively). However, CH and IOPcc were negatively correlated in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 patients (P=0.013, r=-0.49; P=0.015, r=-0.52; and P=0.011, r=-0.47, respectively), but this correlation was not apparent in the Group 4 patients (P=0.57, r=0.12). CRF and IOPcc were correlated, but only in Group 4 (P=0.001, r=0.66).


CONCLUSIONS
Severe dermatochalasis was associated with altered corneal biomechanical properties. Some of the important visual consequences of dermatochalasis and related diseases (such as floppy eyelid syndrome) can be understood by considering corneal biomechanical alterations.
Department of Ophthalmology, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Kurşat
K
Atalay
Department of Ophthalmology, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ceren
C
Gurez
Department of Ophthalmology, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ahmet
A
Kirgiz
Department of Ophthalmology, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Kubra
K
Serefoglu Cabuk
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014421:Turkey
cornea; corneal biomechanical properties; corneal hysteresis; corneal resistance factor; dermatochalasis