Corneal and lens densitometry in newly diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome patients: a quantitative analysis using...

To compare corneal and lens densitometry values between newly diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and healthy controls using Pentacam HR.

This cross-sectional comparative study included 48 newly diagnosed PCOS patients and 33 non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m²) healthy controls of similar age. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examination and anterior segment imaging using Pentacam HR. Corneal topographic parameters, anterior chamber measurements, corneal densitometry values across different zones and depths, and lens densitometry parameters were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to compare measurements between groups.

There was no significant difference in age between the groups (p = 0.37). Keratometric values (K1, K2, K-mean, and K-max) were significantly higher in the PCOS group compared with controls (all p < 0.01), while anterior chamber depth was significantly lower in PCOS patients (p = 0.012). Central corneal thickness did not differ significantly between groups. Regional corneal densitometry analysis revealed significantly higher densitometry values in the PCOS group in the central and paracentral zones (0-2 mm, 2-6 mm, and 6-10 mm; all p < 0.05). Mean lens densitometry values were also significantly higher in PCOS patients compared with controls (p < 0.001), whereas maximum and standard deviation values showed no significant differences.

Newly diagnosed PCOS patients demonstrate alterations in corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth, and both corneal and lens densitometry parameters compared with healthy controls. These findings suggest that PCOS may affect the microstructural properties of ocular tissues even at an early stage. In particular, increased lens densitometry represents a novel finding and may indicate early subclinical lens changes in young women with PCOS.