Association Between Corneal Biomechanics and 24-Hour Intraocular Pressure Variation in Untreated Glaucoma

In patients with untreated primary open angle glaucoma, the higher the corneal deformability, the lower the changes in 24-hour intraocular pressure variation.

To investigate the relationship between corneal biomechanics and 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP) variation in patients with untreated primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Two hundred forty-five (245) eyes of 124 patients with POAG were included in this cross-sectional study. Each patient underwent measurement of corneal biomechanics with Corvis ST. IOP measurements were taken every 2 hours during a 24-hour period by a noncontact tonometer.

The study included 70 men and 54 women. The mean age was 51.41 ± 14.42 years. In the multivariate regression analyses, lower SP-A1 was associated with smaller values of 24-hour IOP fluctuation (difference between peak and trough IOP of 24-hour recordings), mean amplitude of intraocular pressure excursion (MAPE) and average, peak and trough IOPs of the 24-hour, diurnal and nocturnal time periods. Integrated radius was negatively correlated with average, peak, and trough IOPs of both the 24-hour and diurnal time course, as well as with the trough nocturnal IOP.

Corneal deformability reflected by biomechanical properties measured by Corvis ST is associated with 24-hour IOP variation in untreated POAG patients. Increased corneal deformability is associated with lower 24-hour IOP changes.