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Comparative analysis of the corneal birefringence pattern in healthy children and adults
Author(s) -
Sobczak Marcelina,
Asejczyk Magdalena,
Kalinowski Kamil,
Pierścionek Barbara
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/opo.12835
Subject(s) - ophthalmology , cornea , medicine , curvature , radius of curvature , optometry , mathematics , geometry , mean curvature , mean curvature flow
Purpose To undertake a comparative analysis of the corneal shape, thickness and isochromatics in the eyes of children and adults in order to determine the extent of similarities and differences between the cohorts. Methods The study involved 24 children (aged 8 years) and 37 young White adults (aged between 22–24 years) with no apparent or known health or ocular conditions. Measurements were made of corneal radius of curvature, both central (CCT) and paracentral (PCT) corneal thickness and intraocular pressure (IOP). Images of the isochromatics were captured using a slit lamp and a circular polarizer. The geometry of fringe I and II of the isochromatics was analysed. Results Statistically significant differences were found between CCT and PCT in nasal and temporal regions for both the children and adult cohorts. The same trends were observed in the radii of the cornea. Statistically significant differences between side lengths and angles of isochromatic fringes were found. No differences in asymmetry of shape for fringe I between adults and children were detected; greater symmetry was seen in fringe II in children than for adults. Conclusions The asymmetry in corneal shape and curvature contributes to the shape of the isochromatic fringes. This is likely linked to the orientation and parameters of the collagen fibres and to the muscles’ forces, and be relevant for surgical procedures such as corneal transplantation.