Biomechanical changes of the cornea after orbital decompression in thyroid-associated orbitopathy measured by corvis ST

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to investigate the changes in ocular biomechanical factors in patients with inactive thyroid eye disease (TED) who undergo orbital decompression surgery. This observational prospective study include 46 eyes of 31 patients with inactive TED undergoing orbital decompression at a tertiary university hospital from October 2021 to September 2023. All participants underwent a full ophthalmic examination, and a biomechanical examination was performed using corvis ST at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. The study participants had a mean age of 45 ± 11.6 years, and 58.1% of them were female. The second applanation time (A2T) increased from baseline to postoperative month 1 and continued to increase to postoperative month 3 (P < 0.001). The first applanation velocity (A1V), highest concavity (HC) peak distance, and pachymetry parameters also increased from postoperative month 1 to postoperative month 3 (P = 0.035, P = 0.005, and P = 0.031, respectively). The HC time increased from baseline to postoperative month 3 (P = 0.027). Other changes were statistically insignificant. The P-values were adjusted according to biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP). Baseline Hertel significantly influenced A2 time (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that ocular biomechanical parameters may change following decompression surgery in patients with inactive TED. Specifically, an increase in A2T, A1V, and HC peak distance suggests a decrease in corneal stiffness, although the increased HC time contradicts this. It is recommended to postpone keratorefractive or intraocular lens implantation surgeries until corneal biomechanics stabilize after decompression surgery for optimal results.

Keywords

• Thyroid eye disease
• Corneal biomechanical properties
• Orbital decompression
• Corvis ST