Effect of biometric characteristics on biomechanical properties of the cornea in cataract patient

AIM: To determine the impact of biometric characteristics on the biomechanical properties of the human cornea using the ocular response analyzer (ORA) and standard comprehensive ophthalmic examinations before and after standard phacoemulsification. METHODS: This study comprised 54 eyes with cataract with significant lens opacification in stages I or II that underwent phacoemulsification (2.8 mm incision). Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) were measured by ORA preoperatively and at 1mo postoperatively. Biometric characteristics were derived from corneal topography TMS-5, anterior equivalent (EQTMS) and cylindric (CYLTMS) power], corneal tomography Casia, anterior and posterior equivalent (EQaCASIC, EQpCASIA) and cylindric (CYLaCASIA, CYLpCASIA) power], keratometry IOLMaster, anterior equivalent (EQIOL) and cylindric (CYLIOL) power] and autorefractor anterior equivalent (EQAR)]. Results from ORA were analyzed and correlated with those from all other examinations taken at the same time point. RESULTS: Preoperatively, CH correlated with EQpCASIA and CYLpCASIA only (P=0.001, P=0.002). Postoperatively, IOPg and IOPcc correlated with all equivalent powers (EQTMS, EQIOL, EQAR, EQaCASIA and EQpCASIA) (P=0.001, P=0.007, P=0.001, P=0.015, P=0.03 for IOPg and P<0.001, P=0.003, P<0.001, P=0.009, P=0.014 for IOPcc). CH correlated postoperatively with EQaCASIA and EQpCASIC only (P=0.021, P=0.022). CONCLUSION: Biometric characteristics may significantly affect biomechanical properties of the cornea in terms of CH, IOPcc and IOPg before, but even more after cataract surgery.