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Correlation Analysis Between Tomographic, Biomechanical, and Chorioretinal Changes in Patients With Keratoconus
Meike Katharina Pandl1,2, Hyeck-Soo Son1, Maximilian Friedrich1
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.
Summary
Optical coherence tomography angiography reveals increased macular vessel density in keratoconus patients, suggesting inflammation plays a role in this eye condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Diseases
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectasia.
- Chorioretinal vascular changes are not well understood in keratoconus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate chorioretinal vascular changes in keratoconus patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).
Main Methods:
- A mixed retrospective-prospective study included 184 keratoconus eyes, 12 forme fruste keratoconus eyes, and 100 control eyes.
- Comprehensive ocular examinations included OCTA to assess vessel density (VD) in the macular superficial capillary plexus (mSCP) and macular deep capillary plexus (mDCP).
- Keratoconus severity was graded using the ABCD system.
Main Results:
- Macular mSCP and mDCP vessel density were significantly increased in keratoconus patients compared to controls (P < .00055).
- Increased VD in mSCP and mDCP showed significant correlations with keratoconus severity (ABCD staging).
Conclusions:
- Macular superficial and deep capillary plexus vessel densities are significantly elevated in keratoconus.
- These vascular alterations suggest an underlying inflammatory process in keratoconus pathophysiology.