Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate the relationship of age on corneal biomechanical properties measured using the Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Inc).
Methods::
An observational chart review was carried out on 356 eyes (178 patients) that presented for consultation for refractive surgery correction. The Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Inc.) was used to gather biomechanical data, including corneal hysteresis (CH), a function of the viscous properties of the cornea as well as the corneal resistance factor (CRF), a mathematically calculated parameter derived from CH that also takes into account the cornea’s elastic properties. Eyes with pre-existing ocular disease including keratoconus were excluded from analysis.
Results::
Mean patient age was 38.7 years (SD 11.8; ranging 18 to 76 years). Mean CH was 10.53mmHG (SD 1.61) ranging from 5.50mmHg to 16.80mmHg. Mean CRF was 10.19mmHG (SD 1.84), ranging from 3.1mmHg to 16.7mmHg. No association between CH and CRF with patient age was found. Stratification of patient age by decade also failed show a relationship between age and CH or CRF values.
Conclusions::
Corneal biomechanical properties measured with the ORA did not vary as a function of age. Further study of CH and CRF with a larger sample size and more extreme ages is warranted to assess the usefulness of these parameters.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques • cornea: clinical science • aging