Abstract
Purpose :
Central geographic subendothelial collagen deposits in the form of a fibrillar layer (FL) are present in about 80% of advanced Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) eyes. However, the clinical significance of these Descemet membrane changes is so far unknown. This pilot study aimed to investigate if the presence and features of FL correlate with the tomographic features of corneal edema in FECD.
Methods :
In a retrospective monocenter study, FECD eyes scheduled for DMEK or triple DMEK surgery and with high quality preoperative Scheimpflug imaging were included. Corneal densitometry, pachymetry and posterior elevation maps were exported, respectively. FL status was determined. FL area and caliper diameters and the three tomographic features of corneal edema (loss of parallel isopachs, displacement of the thinnest point of cornea, focal area of posterior surface depression, Patel SV et al., Cornea 2021) were evaluated and correlated.
Results :
A total of 306 patients were included. 247 eyes were FL positive and 59 eyes were FL negative. In 88.6 % of the FL positive eyes 2 or 3 of the 3 tomographic features were present, whereas in 86.6 % of the FL negative eyes none or only 1 of the tomographic features was present.
Conclusions :
FL positive eyes demonstrate higher scores of tomographic features of corneal edema. FL may be a marker of more advanced FECD status. Further studies are needed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of FL in FECD.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.