Visual Corneal Photomechanical Analysis Is Combined with the Pentacam Correlation Index for the Diagnosis of Cone Corneas at Different Stages of Progression

Abstract

Cone-shaped corneas are blinding eye diseases characterised by dilated and thinning corneal tissue and forward conical protrusions, most often in adolescents. Early detection and intervention can prevent further dilatation of the cornea. The prevailing examination methods and techniques are not difficult to diagnose clinical cone corneas, but there are limitations in the diagnosis of early cone corneas (static cone corneas and subclinical cone corneas). In this study, we investigated the diagnostic value of the combination of these two instruments in the diagnosis of clinical cone corneas and subclinical cone corneas by performing the Pentacam and Corvis ST examinations in healthy eyes and dystrophic cone corneas. This study provides a theoretical basis for early cone cornea screening and diagnosis. The analysis revealed that only TP, SPA1, ARTh, and bIOP were normally distributed among all included parameters, and only bIOP was normally distributed with equal variance. TBI and CBI indices have a certain sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of subclinical cone corneas, with a strong diagnostic ability, and can be used for screening and early diagnosis of cone corneas.