Correlation of anterior and posterior corneal shape in keratoconus

To evaluate the correlation of the mean curvature and shape factors of both corneal surfaces for different corneal diameters measured with the Scheimpflug photography-based system in keratoconus eyes.

A total of 61 keratoconus eyes of 61 subjects, aged 14 to 64 years, were included in this study. All eyes received a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination including anterior segment and corneal analysis with the Sirius system (CSO): anterior and posterior mean corneal radius for 3, 5, and 7 mm (aKM, pKM), anterior and posterior mean shape factor for 4.5 and 8 mm (ap, pp), central and minimal corneal thickness, and anterior chamber depth.

Mean aKM/pKM ratio around 1.20 (range, 0.95-1.48) was found for all corneal diameters (P = 0.24). Weak but significant correlations of this ratio with pachymetric parameters were found (r between -0.28 and -0.34, P < 0.04). The correlation coefficient between aKM and pKM was ≥ 0.92 for all corneal diameters. A strong and significant correlation was also found between ap and pp (r ≥ 0.86, P < 0.01). The multiple regression analysis revealed that central pKM was significantly correlated with aKM, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and spherical equivalent (R ≥ 0.88, P < 0.01) and that 8 mm pp was significantly correlated with 8 mm ap and age (R = 0.89, P < 0.01).

Central posterior corneal curvature and shape factor in the keratoconus eye can be consistently predicted from the anterior corneal curvature and shape factor, respectively, in combination with other anatomical and ocular parameters.