Study links lower corneal hysteresis, rapid visual field progression

Corneal hysteresis is strongly associated with a rapid rate of glaucomatous visual field progression, according to a study.

“The main implication of this study is that, in practice, patients with low corneal hysteresis should undergo more careful surveillance in search for past [visual field] progression,” the study authors wrote. “Lower [corneal hysteresis] could, therefore, be a marker of increased susceptibility of the optic disc to glaucomatous damage or may be the result of glaucomatous damage itself.”

The retrospective study examined 153 eyes of 153 patients with glaucoma. The mean patient age was 61.3 years, and mean follow-up was 5.3 years.

The mean global rate of visual field change during the study period was −0.34 ± 0.7 dB/year, with 25 eyes (16%) reaching a progression endpoint. Overall, progressing eyes had lower central corneal thickness (525 ± 34.2 μm vs. 542.3 ± 38.5 μm; P = .04) and lower corneal hysteresis (7.5 ± 1.4 mm Hg vs. 9 ± 1.8 mm Hg; P < .01) compared with the non-progressing eyes.

The study authors found a moderate and significant correlation between corneal hysteresis and central corneal thickness, and corneal hysteresis was most strongly associated with visual field progression.

“As [corneal hysteresis] is currently not a modifiable risk factor, more aggressive IOP reduction may be indicated in these eyes to prevent future worsening of the [visual field],” the authors said.

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Source:

J Glaucoma. 2012;21(4):209-213.