Risk factors for peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Diseases
• Ocular Surface Disease

Background:

• Peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification (PHSCO) is a corneal condition requiring further characterization.
• Understanding the phenotype, tear secretion, and refractive changes associated with PHSCO is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical phenotype of patients diagnosed with PHSCO.
• To assess tear secretion parameters in individuals with PHSCO.
• To analyze refractive changes in patients with PHSCO, both pre- and post-operatively.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, interventional case series at a university medical center.
• Analysis of medical records for patients diagnosed with PHSCO.
• Assessment of demographic data, tear film breakup time (FTBUT), Schirmer Test II, and objective refraction.

Main Results:

• The study included 195 eyes from 112 patients (78.6% female; mean age 56.2 years).
• PHSCO frequently occurred bilaterally (74.1% of patients).
• Significant changes in sphere and cylinder refraction were observed postoperatively, with reduced tear secretion and tear film stability noted.

Conclusions:

• PHSCO predominantly affects middle-aged women and often presents bilaterally.
• The condition is associated with diminished tear production and reduced tear film stability.
• Surgical intervention (superficial keratectomy) led to significant refractive changes post-surgery.