Evaluation of corneal biomechanical properties using an ocular response analyser to examine aphakic and pseudophakic patients after congenital cataract surgery

Purpose We evaluated corneal biomechanical properties in aphakic and pseudophakic patients after congenital cataract surgery and compared the data with those of age-matched normal subjects. Methods We included 43 eyes of 43 aphakic or pseudophakic patients treated via congenital cataract surgery. As controls, 42 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were enrolled. After a complete ophthalmic examination, central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were determined. Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) and Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) were recorded using an ocular response analyser. Results In the study group, 18 eyes were aphakic and 25 eyes pseudophakic. We found a significant difference in CCT between the aphakic, pseudophakic and control groups (p < 0.001). No significant among-group differences were detected in CH or CRF (p > 0.05). We found significant differences in IOPcc, IOPg and IOP measured with Goldmann applanation tonometry (IOP_GAT) between the study and control groups (p < 0.001). In contrast, we found no significant differences within the two study groups in terms of these three IOP values (p > 0.05). Conclusion Although CCT increased after congenital cataract surgery, corneal biomechanical parameters, including CH and the CRF, were not affected by such surgery. Determination of the IOPcc did not provide any additional information on true IOP, which was independent of CCT in both aphakic and pseudophakic patients after congenital cataract surgery.