Comparing corneal biomechanics and intraocular pressure between healthy individuals and glaucoma subtypes: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The utilization of corneal biomechanical features in evaluating glaucoma and its progression has received particular attention. The severity of corneal biomechanical changes can play an essential role in response to medical or surgical treatment. The present study evaluated the biomechanical features of the cornea in glaucoma patients in different subtypes and compared them with the normal condition. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, glaucoma patients and healthy individuals were referred to the tertiary hospital in 2021. Both eyes underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, intraocular pressure measurement, and corneal biomechanical parameters using Corvis and ORA devices. Finally, data from both groups were compared. RESULTS: Based on the ORA evaluation, Lower CRF and CH were seen in glaucoma patients. In the Corvis evaluation, minor differences were observed in glaucoma as increased pachy, radius, and pachy slope, and decreased HC deformation amplitude, HC deflection amplitude, HC deflection area, deflection amplitude max, dArc length max, max inverse radius, and integrated radius. Lower ACD and higher CCT differentiated PACG from others. Lower CCT and higher C/D and WTW indicated NTG. Based on ORA, the highest CRF and CH were related to PACG and the lowest related to PEXG. In contrast, based on Corvis, higher pachy and radius and lower max inverse radius and integrated radius were specified for PACG. PEXG also had the highest values of the last two parameters. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of corneal biomechanical parameters and other indicators can be beneficial in assessing the status and severity of glaucoma and distinguishing between disease subtypes.