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Objectives: To evaluate corneal densitometry and anterior segment parameters of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and compare these results with those of age-matched healthy control subjects. Materials and Methods: Anterior segment parameters and corneal densitometry of patients with RA and healthy control subjects were assessed by Scheimpflug corneal topography. For densitometry analysis, the 12-mm diameter area of the cornea was subdivided into four concentric radial zones and anterior, central, and posterior layers based on corneal depth. Right eyes of subjects were used for statistical analysis. Results: Twenty-three consecutive patients with RA and 22 healthy control subjects were included in the study. There was no significant difference with regard to age (p=0.487) or gender (p=0.514). When anterior segment parameters of both groups were compared, no significant difference was found (p>0.05). Total corneal densitometry values were statistically higher in the RA group (p=0.030). In addition, when subdivisions of the cornea were evaluated, higher densitometry values were found in the RA group in 0-2 and 2-6 mm radial zones both in the anterior and total depth (p=0.001, p=0.003 for the 0-2 mm zone and p=0.002, p=0.009 for the 2-6 mm zone). Corneal densitometry measurement was not correlated with central corneal thickness or simulated keratometry value in RA patients or healthy control subjects. Conclusion: The corneal densitometry values were higher in RA patients when compared to healthy control subjects, even if they had clinically clear corneas. Corneal densitometry as an objective measure of corneal clarity warrants further studies in order to ascertain its clinical relevance in RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the corneal densitometry (CD) measurements in patients with pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) and pigmentary glaucoma (PG). Materials and Methods: This prospective comparative study included 22 eyes with PG, 19 eyes with PDS and 21 control individuals. After complete ophthalmological examination, all the eyes had central corneal thickness (CCT) and CD measurements by densitometry software of Pentacam HR-Scheimpflug corneal topography over a 12-mm diameter of the cornea. Chi-Square, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, analysis of variance, and Tukey's post-hoc tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: All the eyes with PG were under prostaglandin monotherapy. The mean CCT was significantly higher in PG cases than the other groups (p=0.01). The mean CD of anterior layer at the 0-2 mm was significantly higher in PG than PDS cases and normal subjects (p=0.007). The mean CD of total layer at the 0-2 mm was significantly higher in PG cases than control subjects (p=0.03). The mean CD of anterior layer at the 2-6 mm was significantly higher in PG than PDS cases (p=0.04). There were no significant differences of CD in other zones and layers between the groups. Conclusion: The presence of Krukenberg spindle, higher age in PG and the probable effects of glaucoma might cause corneal backscatter of light and increased CD particularly in anterior layers in central zones of cornea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) induced changes on corneal densitometry (CD) in cases with acute primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) during the post-laser 1 month period. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 21 eyes with first acute attack of PACG. All the eyes underwent LPI with neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser after the intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased to normal levels with maximal anti-glaucoma treatment and complete regression of corneal edema. Central corneal thickness (CCT) and CD values were measured by densitometry software of Pentacam HR-Scheimpflug corneal topography over a 12-mm diameter of the cornea just before and at the first week and first month after LPI. Results: The mean age of 13 female and 8 male cases was 56.6±7.9 years. The IOP during the acute attack was 47.5±4.2 mmHg and it decreased to 19.0±2.8 mmHg after medical treatment before LPI. Both the IOP and the CCT values decreased significantly values at the first week and month after LPI (p<0.001). Anterior, central, posterior and total corneal density values of at 0-2 mm zone, 2-6 mm zone, 6-10 mm zone and corneal density values of total zones decreased significantly at the first week and month after LPI. Conclusion: The corneal densitometry values were found to be decreased after LPI in acute PACG during the first month and this result was thought to be caused by the decrease in IOP and the regression of corneal edema due to LPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]