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Topography study suggests corneal role in accommodation
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SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Contraction of the ciliary muscle causes an increase in corneal power that may play a role in accommodation, according to a study presented here at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
In the first part of a two-part study, Akihiro Yasuda, MD, and colleagues compared corneal topographies of 18 eyes of nine volunteers before and 45 minutes after the administration of topical pilocarpine. In a presentation at ASCRS, Dr. Yasuda said the researchers found a “small but statistically significant” increase in both corneal steepening and mean ring power within 45 minutes of administering pilocarpine.
In the second part of the study, Dr. Yasuda and colleagues compared the corneal topographies of two groups, each with 14 eyes of seven patients. One group received topical pilocarpine and the other received balanced salt solution. A statistically significant change was seen in the pilocarpine group, but not in the control eyes receiving balanced salt solution, he said.
Dr. Yasuda speculated that ciliary muscle contractions may aid in accommodation by exerting pressure on surrounding ocular structures, namely the scleral spur and the trabecular meshwork, which in turn may cause the cornea to steepen.