Corneal backward scattering and higher‐order aberrations in children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and normal topography

Purpose To investigate the corneal backward scattering and higher‐order aberrations ( HOA s) in children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis ( VKC ) and normal topography. Methods Thirty‐six eyes of 22 patients with VKC and 54 eyes of 34 normal subjects were included. All participants had clear cornea, absence of dry eyes and a normal corneal tomography. Scheimpflug imaging was used to measure corneal backward scattering in zones centred on the corneal apex (central 2‐mm zone and paracentral 2‐ to 6‐mm zone), and HOA s were compared between VKC and normal control. Results The mean age of participants was 12.0 ± 4.1 years in VKC group and 11.2 ± 4.1 years in control group (p = 0.339). There was no significant intergroup difference in mean keratometry, astigmatism and apex pachymetry (p ≥ 0.076). Total corneal backscatter was higher in the VKC group compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.012). Anterior and posterior cornea displayed a higher level of backward scattering in the VKC group (p < 0.001 for anterior; p ≤ 0.048 for posterior). Patients with VKC exhibited higher total HOA s and coma (p ≤ 0.036). There were significant correlations between total anterior HOA s and backward scattering measured at the central ( r  =   0.500; p = 0.032) and paracentral zones ( r  =   0.470; p = 0.024) for VKC . Conclusion The current study showed optical quality changes in patients with clear corneas and quiescent VKC . An increase in corneal backward scattering and HOA s was noted in patients with VKC as compared to normal patients.