European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 11 - Number 1
Eur J Anat, 11 (1): 31-35 (2007)

Anatomic differences between a normal and two keratoconus corneas

Sanchis-Gimeno J.A., Herrera M., Lleo-Perez A., Alonso L., Rahhal M.S., Martinez-Soriano F.

Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain; Unit of Human Anatomy, Embryology and Biomechanics, Department of Optics, University of Alicante, Spain; Rahhal Ophthalmology Clinic, Valencia, Spain; Apartado de correos 15038, E-46080 Valencia, Spain

ABSTRACT Keratoconus is an anatomic deformity of the cornea characterized by progressive thinning and a cone-shaped protrusion of the central cornea. Thinning corneal disorders, such as keratoconus, should be identified before excimer laser refractive surgery. An Orbscan System (Orbscan Corneal Topography System II, Orbscan Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA) was used to analyse and compare corneal thickness values and the anterior and posterior corneal elevation maps of three subjects who wished to undergo excimer laser refractive surgery. The quantitative differences between the minimum thickness value of the entire cornea and the values obtained in the central and paracentral cornea of the subjects were also analysed. Analysis of corneal thicknessess revealed that normal corneas had higher central and paracentral values. Greater differences were found between the thinnest site of the entire cornea and the paracentral areas in the keratoconic corneas than in the normal cornea. The cone-shaped protrusion was detected in the anterior and posterior corneal elevation maps of one subject but only in the posterior elevation map of the other keratoconus subject. The detection of corneal anatomic deformities, such as keratoconus, should include the analysis of corneal thickness values and the analysis of both anterior and posterior corneal elevation maps.

Keywords: adult, article, case report, cornea thickness, device, excimer laser, female, human, keratoconus, laser surgery, male, preoperative evaluation, refractive surgery

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)