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Published on: August 13, 2019
Corneal biomechanical parameters during pregnancy
Emine Sen1, Yüksel Onaran, Pinar Nalcacioglu-Yuksekkaya
11 Ulucanlar Eye Research Hospital, Ankara - Turkey.
Purpose:
To evaluate the variation in biomechanical properties and central corneal thickness (CCT) for each trimester during pregnancy and to compare the values with those in nonpregnant women.
Methods:
We prospectively studied the eyes of 32 pregnant and 34 age-matched non-pregnant women. The parameters included corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOP), and corneal-compensated IOP measured by the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA). The CCT was also measured with an ultrasonic pachymeter attached to the ORA.
Results:
The mean age was 27.0 ± 3.8 years in the study group and 28.0 ± 4.1 years in the control group. The mean CH measurement was 10.6 ± 1.4 mmHg in the study group and 10.1 ± 1.3 mmHg in the control group. The mean CRF value was 9.6 ± 1.7 mmHg in the study group and 10.0 ± 1.4 mmHg in the control group. The mean CCT value was 541.1 ± 22.4 µm in the study group and 536.5 ± 27.1 µm in the control group. No statistically significant differences were found regarding CH, CRF, or CCT values between the 2 groups (independent t test, p = 0.160, p = 0.355, p = 0.450, respectively).
Conclusions:
Hormonal changes during pregnancy may not affect corneal biomechanics. This may be due to the balanced effect of the various hormones on the cornea during pregnancy.
