The Effect of Intraocular Pressure on Corneal Topographic Findings of Donor Cornea

To evaluate the effect of intraocular pressure on topographic findings of donor corneas.

In the present study 37 intact enucleated globes were included. Desirable intraocular pressure was provided by fluid flowing into the globe using a needle inserted via the optic nerve connected to a balanced salt serum bottle. The Sim K and corneal astigmatism in different IOPs (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mmHg) were measured using a topography cone (Zeiss-Humphery System, Atlas Version 10.1).

Out of 37 globes studied, 26 globes (70.3 %) were from male and 11 globes (29.7 %) were from female donors. Donors were aged 25 to 45 years at time of death with the mean age of 37 years. The mean Sim K was not significantly different in different IOP levels (0 to 50 mmHg). The mean corneal astigmatism had a significant relation with IOP (P < 0.001) and decreased (IOP 0 mmHg to IOP 30 mmHg) then increased (IOP 30 mmHg to IOP 50 mmHg) when the IOP was changed. The minimum astigmatism was detected at IOP 30 mmHg (1.56 D) and the maximum was detected at IOP 0 mmHg (2.76 ± 1.73).

The mean Sim K of donor cornea does not significantly change in different IOP levels of enucleated globe, while the corneal astigmatism changes significantly.  It seems that keratometric readings from donor cornea might be used without caution about the IOP in enucleated globe.