研究目的
To evaluate corneal epithelial thickness (CET) and corneal thickness (CT) in healthy eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.
研究成果
Optical coherence tomography-based analysis shows that corneal epithelial thickness is thinner in the peripheral cornea, while total corneal thickness increases peripherally. Sex influences total corneal thickness, with males having thicker corneas, but corneal epithelial thickness is not significantly affected by sex. Regional variations exist, with certain areas thinner in males. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex and regional differences in corneal assessments for disease diagnosis and refractive surgery planning. Future studies should explore larger samples, diverse populations, and improved imaging technologies to exclude tear film effects completely.
研究不足
The study may be underpowered to detect very weak correlations, such as between CET and CT. The sample size was small (36 eyes), and the population was limited to healthy young individuals with low astigmatism, which may not generalize to other demographics or pathological conditions. The OCT software algorithm partially includes tear film thickness in CET measurements, potentially affecting accuracy. Diurnal variations were controlled but not eliminated entirely. The study did not account for ethnic variability, which could influence results.
1：Experimental Design and Method Selection:
A prospective, cross-sectional study design was used. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was employed for imaging, specifically the Zeiss Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT device with an anterior segment cornea-specific lens. The methodology included pachymetry map scans and automated measurements using Cirrus Review Software to assess CET and CT in predefined concentric zones and specific regions.
2：Sample Selection and Data Sources:
Thirty-six healthy eyes from 18 individuals (10 male, 8 female) with a mean age of 32 years were included. Exclusion criteria were age <18 years, corneal pathology, ocular disease, history of ocular surgery or trauma, recent contact lens wear, systemic diseases with ocular involvement, astigmatism >2 diopters, tear film breakup time <5 seconds, and Schirmer test <10 mm/5 minutes. Data were acquired from both eyes of each subject.
3：List of Experimental Equipment and Materials:
Zeiss Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT device (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) with anterior segment cornea-specific lens, Cirrus HD-OCT review software (version
4：0), Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) for astigmatism measurement. Experimental Procedures and Operational Workflow:
Subjects were imaged in a single session after 14:00 to minimize diurnal variations. Two pachymetry scans per eye were taken using the HD-OCT device with the AS lens, ensuring proper centering. Images were processed with the software to obtain automated CET and CT measurements in concentric zones (0-2, 2-5, 5-7, 7-9 mm for CET; 0-2, 2-5, 5-7 mm for CT) and specific regions (superior, inferior, temporal, nasal, superonasal, inferotemporal, superotemporal, inferonasal).
5：Data Analysis Methods:
Data were checked for normal distribution using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Analysis of variance was used to compare thickness across zones. Paired t-tests compared variables between males and females. Spearman correlation coefficient assessed correlation between CET and CT. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05, using SPSS version 16.0.
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