Corneal epithelial mapping in different corneal conditions

Abstract

The HD-OCT device has been recently used as a noninvasive corneal imaging modality that was capable of in vivo differentiation of both corneal layers and demonstration of pathologic abnormalities in the cornea. Optical coherence tomography accurately maps corneal thickness in clear and opacified corneas, allowing the examiner to precisely map the depth of corneal opacities, the degree of epithelial hyperplasia and the thickness of the cornea, as well as scleral melts, corneal degenerations, scars and corneal dystrophies. SD-OCT provided us with high-resolution images of the pterygium and the pinguecula and showed clearly the anatomical relationship between the corneal tissues and these lesions. The use of this new modality of imaging may help to decrease the current recurrence rates after pterygium excision through using the anterior segment SD-OCT in the evaluation of these lesions and showing difference between primary pterygium, recurrent pterygium and pseudopterygium. However, in the context of cataract surgery, it had only been used to study the corneal changes that affect the incision architecture (Descemet’s membrane detachment, posterior wound gape, posterior wound retraction and edema)