Z Gatzioufas1, G Labiris2, F Hafezi3, A Schnaidt2, B Pajic3, A Langenbucher2, B Seitz2. 1. 1] Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of Saarland UKS, Homburg/Saar, Germany [2] Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva HUG, Geneva, Switzerland. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of Saarland UKS, Homburg/Saar, Germany. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva HUG, Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To quantify the corneal subbasal nerve density and the total number of nerve fibers in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and to evaluate their impact on corneal sensitivity. METHODS: Forty eyes of 26 PCG patients were compared with 40 eyes randomly selected from 40 non-glaucoma patients who populated the control group. Central corneal sensitivity (CCS) was assessed by means of Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry. The mean subbasal nerve density and the total number of nerve fibers were quantified by laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Normality of data was assessed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov testing. Differences in parameters were assessed with Student's t-test, while correlations with CSS were assessed with Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Significant differences were identified in the mean subbasal nerve density (2108 ± 692 μm in PCG, 2642 ± 484 μm in controls, P = 0.003) and in the total number of nerve fibers (12.3 ± 4.2 in PCG, 15.4 ± 3.1 in controls, P = 0.02). Both groups presented comparable mean CCS and tortuosity. Both groups presented strong correlations between CCS and mean nerve density (r = 0.57 in PCG, r = 0.67 in controls, all P < 0.05), and between CCS and total number of nerve fibers (r = 0.55 in PCG, r = 0.56 in controls, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PCG exerts significant changes in both the mean subbasal nerve density and the total number of nerve fibers. However, these changes do not appear to affect central corneal sensitivity.
BACKGROUND: To quantify the corneal subbasal nerve density and the total number of nerve fibers in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and to evaluate their impact on corneal sensitivity. METHODS: Forty eyes of 26 PCGpatients were compared with 40 eyes randomly selected from 40 non-glaucomapatients who populated the control group. Central corneal sensitivity (CCS) was assessed by means of Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry. The mean subbasal nerve density and the total number of nerve fibers were quantified by laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Normality of data was assessed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov testing. Differences in parameters were assessed with Student's t-test, while correlations with CSS were assessed with Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Significant differences were identified in the mean subbasal nerve density (2108 ± 692 μm in PCG, 2642 ± 484 μm in controls, P = 0.003) and in the total number of nerve fibers (12.3 ± 4.2 in PCG, 15.4 ± 3.1 in controls, P = 0.02). Both groups presented comparable mean CCS and tortuosity. Both groups presented strong correlations between CCS and mean nerve density (r = 0.57 in PCG, r = 0.67 in controls, all P < 0.05), and between CCS and total number of nerve fibers (r = 0.55 in PCG, r = 0.56 in controls, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:PCG exerts significant changes in both the mean subbasal nerve density and the total number of nerve fibers. However, these changes do not appear to affect central corneal sensitivity.
Authors: Ilpo S J Tuominen; Yrjö T Konttinen; Minna H Vesaluoma; Jukka A O Moilanen; Maaret Helintö; Timo M T Tervo Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 4.799
Authors: M E Rosenberg; T M Tervo; I J Immonen; L J Müller; C Grönhagen-Riska; M H Vesaluoma Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2000-09 Impact factor: 4.799
Authors: José M Benítez del Castillo; Mohamed A S Wasfy; Cristina Fernandez; Julian Garcia-Sanchez Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 4.799