Modification of Corneal Biomechanics and Intraocular Pressure Following Non-Penetrating Deep Sclerectomy

Changes in the cornea can influence outcomes in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We aimed to evaluate the relevance of changes in corneal biomechanics and intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients undergoing non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) with the Esnoper V2000 implant^® (AJL Ophthalmic S.A., Gasteiz, Spain). We included 42 eyes of 42 patients with POAG scheduled for NPDS with the Esnoper V2000 implant. Biomechanical properties were measured by Ocular Response Analyzer^® G3 (ORA; Reichert Inc., Depew, NY, USA). Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal compensated IOP (IOPcc), and Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) were measured the day before surgery and on day 1, 7, and 30 and 2 and 3 months after surgery. CH initially increased, fell below the presurgical value at 30 days after the surgery, and increased again at 2 and 3 months. CRF, IOPcc, and IOPg decreased on the first day after surgery, then followed a trend of increasing but stayed below pre-surgery levels. All values reached statistical significance. While observed changes in corneal biomechanics after NPDS and Esnoper V2000 implant were significant, more studies are needed if we are to understand their influence on corneal biomechanics and their clinical relevance in POAG.