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Gender- and age-related differences in corneal topography.
1Lions Eye Research Laboratories, LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans 70112-2234, USA.
Cornea
|April 27, 2001
Summary
Corneal topography changes with age and gender, with older men exhibiting flatter corneas and a higher potential for against-the-rule astigmatism compared to women. Corneal irregularity increases with age in both genders.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Corneal Science
Background:
- Corneal topography is crucial for understanding refractive errors and ocular health.
- Age and gender are known factors influencing physiological changes, including those in the eye.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender- and age-related differences in corneal topography.
- To analyze specific topographic indices and astigmatism patterns in relation to demographic factors.
Main Methods:
- Collected 132 topographic examinations from 100 patients (age 23-83).
- Segregated data by gender and age groups (younger <50, older >=50).
- Examined topographic indices including Surface Regularity Index, Surface Asymmetry Index, and astigmatism patterns.
Main Results:
- Older men had flatter corneas than older women (p < 0.001).
- Vertical corneal meridian showed significant gender-related aging changes (p < 0.001).
- Older men had higher potential for against-the-rule astigmatism (p < 0.001); corneal irregularity increased with age (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Aging impacts astigmatism patterns differently in men and women.
- Decreased sex hormone levels may contribute to age-related gender differences in corneal structure.