Evaluation of corneal changes in chemical burns with anterior segment optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Aims: Chemical injuries of the anterior segment of the eye are a common problem and may cause a serious damage to the eye. Proper management in the acute setting, as well as follow up examination and evaluation is crucial in limiting adverse effects of ocular tissue damage. Purpose: To present the application of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) evaluation of the corneal changes in patients with chemical injuries. Patients and Methods: Retrospective non comparative series of 17 eyes in 14 patients who were evaluated and treated at the University Eye Clinic Skopje. The Topcon SL Scan 1 and color photography were used in each injured eye, OCT-AS scanning was performed at the first examination and the follow up examination. All scans were carried out with scanning beam passing through the centre at specific meridians. Quantitative parameters of the corneal thickness were also investigated. Color photography was correlated with OCT findings. Results: A characteristic AS-OCT images of the cornea ex vivo is shown. The epithelial and endothelial layers, the stromal fibers are distinguished. Also OCT images of the corneal tissue damage caused by chemical interaction are presented. Summary: We showed that the AS-OCT is capable of imaging and evaluation of chemical injuries in real time. It was demonstrated that AS-OCT is sensitive to the changes in the structural properties of the cornea as a result of the chemical damage.