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Corneal biomechanical assessment via ocular response analyzer following intravitreal aflibercept therapy

Biomechanische Beurteilung der Hornhaut nach intravitrealer Aflibercept-Therapie mit dem Ocular Response Analyzer

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Summary

Background

To assess changes in corneal biomechanical parameters measured by the Ocular Response Analyzer device (ORA, Reichert Inc., Depew, NY, USA) before and on the first day and the first week following intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) injection.

Methods

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, intraocular pressure (Goldmann applanation tonometry, IOPgat), ORA measurements (Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure [IOPg], corneal-compensated IOP [IOPcc], corneal resistance factor [CRF], and corneal hysteresis) were made. Also, pachymetry and ocular biometric examination (anterior chamber depth, axial length, and lens thickness) were performed. Data before and on the first day and the first week after IVA injection were compared.

Results

In total, 51 patients (20 female [39.2%] and 31 male [60.8%]) were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 69.51 ± 8.43 years. Indication for IVA treatment was age-related macular degeneration in 22 patients (43.1%) and retinal vein occlusion in 29 patients (56.9%). No significant differences were observed following IVA in terms of central corneal thickness (p = 0.40), axial length (p = 0.80), anterior chamber depth (p = 0.69), and lens thickness (p = 0.49). IOPgat significantly reduced on the first day after IVA (13.3 mm Hg to 11.8 mm Hg; p < 0.001). A decrease in CRF was observed on the first day following IVA (9.94 to 9.38; p = 0.03). Furthermore, CRF and IOPgat were positively correlated at baseline and on the first day and the first week after IVA.

Conclusion

Intravitreal aflibercept treatment induces corneal biomechanical alterations that might be associated with IOP change following IVA injection.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Ziel war, die Veränderungen der biomechanischen Parameter der Hornhaut zu beurteilen, die mit dem Ocular-Response-Analyzer-Gerät (ORA, Fa. Reichert Inc., Depew/NY, USA) vor und am ersten Tag und in der ersten Woche nach der intravitrealen Injektion von Aflibercept (IVA) gemessen wurden.

Methodik

In dieser retrospektiven Querschnittstudie wurden Augeninnendruck (Goldmann-Applanationstonometrie, IOPgat), ORA-Messungen (Goldmann-korrelierter Augeninnendruck [IOPg], Hornhaut-kompensierter Augeninnendruck [IOPcc], Hornhautwiderstandsfaktor und Hornhauthysterese) durchgeführt. Außerdem wurden eine Pachymetrie und eine okuläre biometrische Untersuchung (Vorderkammertiefe, axiale Länge und Linsendicke) durchgeführt. Daten vor und an dem ersten Tag und in der ersten Woche nach der IVA-Injektion wurden verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden 51 Patient*innen (20 Frauen [39,2 %] und 31 Männer [60,8 %]) in die Studie aufgenommen. Das Durchschnittsalter betrug 69,51 ± 8,43 Jahre. Indikation zur IVA-Behandlung war die altersbedingte Makuladegeneration bei 22 Patient*innen (43,1 %) und der retinale Venenverschluss bei 29 Patient*innen (56,9 %). Nach der IVA wurden keine signifikanten Unterschiede in Bezug auf die zentrale Hornhautdicke (p = 0,40), die axiale Länge (p = 0,80), die Vorderkammertiefe (p = 0,69) und die Linsendicke (p = 0,49) beobachtet. Am ersten Tag nach IVA war der IOPgat signifikant vermindert (von 13,3 mm Hg auf 11,8 mm Hg; p < 0,001). Auch der Hornhautwiderstandsfaktor zeigte am ersten Tag nach IVA eine Abnahme (von 9,94 auf 9,38; p = 0,03). CRF und IOPgat waren zu Beginn der Studie sowie am ersten Tag und in der ersten Woche nach IVA positiv korreliert.

Schlussfolgerung

Die intravitreale Aflibercept-Behandlung induziert biomechanische Veränderungen der Hornhaut, die mit einer IOP-Änderung nach einer IVA-Injektion verbunden sein könnten.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Health Sciences Trabzon Kanuni Training and Research Hospital, Trabzon Kanuni Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Numune kampusü, İnönü Mah., No: 10, Maraş Cad., Trabzon, Turkey

    Betul Onal Gunay MD & Cenap Mahmut Esenulku

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  1. Betul Onal Gunay MD
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  2. Cenap Mahmut Esenulku
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B.O. Gunay and C.M. Esenulku declare that they have no competing interests.

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Ethical approval was obtained from the same institute review board number: 2019/06. Consent to participate and for publication: Due to the retrospective nature of the study, informed consent was not obtained from the patients.

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Gunay, B.O., Esenulku, C.M. Corneal biomechanical assessment via ocular response analyzer following intravitreal aflibercept therapy. Spektrum Augenheilkd. 37, 22–28 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00717-022-00534-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00717-022-00534-9

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