Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the stromal corneal nerves morphology and thickness in keratoconus patients.
Methods: :
25 eyes of 20 keratoconus patients were examined with the confocal microscope (Confoscan 4, Fortune Technologies, Italy), a central scan of the total corneal thickness was taken in every exam. Corneal stromal nerves morphology and thickness were evaluated by using the Navis V. 3.5.0. Software (NIDEK, Multi-Instrument Diagnostic System, Japan). Nerve thickness was obtained from the mean between the widest and the narrowest portion of each stromal nerve.
Results: :
Corneal stromal nerves were observed as irregular linear hiper-reflective structures with widest and narrowest portions. Mean corneal stromal nerves thickness was 6.9 ± 2.0 microns, range from 3.5 to 12.0 microns.
Conclusions: :
It is possible to evaluate corneal stromal nerves morphology and thickness by using confocal microscopy in vivo in keratoconus patients.
Keywords: keratoconus • imaging/image analysis: non-clinical • nerve fiber layer