The Use of a Dynamic Scheimpflug Analyzer to Measure Changes of Post-keratoplasty Corneal Biomechanical Properties

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#To evaluate the biomechanical properties of corneas using a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer (Corvis ST) after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and Descemet’s membrane stripping keratoplasty (DSEK). @*Methods@#The medical records of 11 eyes that had undergone PKP (PKP group) and 11 eyes that had undergone DSEK (DSEK group) from March 2017 to March 2018 and the results were compared with 20 eyes of the control group. All patients’ corneal biomechanical properties, including a deformation amplitude ratio of 2.0 mm (DA ratio 2.0 mm), integrated inverse radius (IntInvRad), stiffness parameter at first applanation (SP-A1), and Ambrosio relational thickness through the horizon meridian (ARTh) were measured and compared with those of the normal control group. In addition, biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP) measured by the Corvis ST was compared with intraocular pressure measured by a Tono-Pen Applanation Tonometer (IOP-Tono-Pen). @*Results@#In the PKP group, the biomechanical properties using the Corvis ST showed a significantly lower DA ratio 2.0 mm, SP-A1, ARTh, and IntInvRad, compared with those of the control group. However, in the DSEK group, only ARTh was significantly lower than that of the control group. @*Conclusions@#Corvis ST can be used to measure the change of corneal biomechanical properties after corneal transplantation.