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Correlation Between Markers of Epithelial Behavior Derived From OCT and Topographic Inferior-Superior Asymmetry
Purpose:
To explore the correlation between epithelial behavior markers derived from optical coherence tomography (OCT) and topographic inferior-superior asymmetry (I-S), and to compare these epithelial values across different I-S subgroups.
Methods:
In this prospective observational study, 526 eyes undergoing refractive surgery evaluation were randomly selected. Each patient underwent imaging examinations, including Placido-disk corneal topography and OCT. Four epithelial parameters-minimum (thinnest), maximum (thickest), difference between minimum and maximum, and standard deviation-were analyzed. Analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests compared these parameters across I-S subgroups, whereas Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between continuous I-S values and each epithelial parameter. Multiple linear regression evaluated the I-S predictive effect on epithelial metrics. Correlations were investigated considering the entire I-S spectrum and in two separate I-S subgroups (below and above 1.4).
Results:
Higher I-S values (I-S > 1.4) corresponded to significantly greater epithelial variability (difference between minimum and maximum, and standard deviation, P < .0001) compared to lower I-S groups. Across all I-S values, moderate, significant correlations were found between I-S and epithelial variability (difference, r = 0.57; standard deviation, r = 0.59; P < .0001). Subgroup analysis indicated that significant correlations between I-S and epithelial variability measures were present only in the high-asymmetry group (I-S > 1.4). Multiple linear regression confirmed that I-S significantly predicts epithelial variability, particularly in this subgroup.
Conclusions:
A moderate correlation exists between I-S and epithelial thickness variability, particularly in eyes with high asymmetry, as supported by regression analysis, indicating the predictive value of I-S. However, these epithelial markers are less useful in eyes with low asymmetry.
