Age-related Changes in Corneal Parameters in the Turkish Population: A Pentacam-based Study

Purpose: To evaluate anterior and posterior corneal surfaces and anterior segment parameters in the Turkish population using Pentacam, and to analyze age-related changes. Methods: Corneal topographies of patients without ocular pathology, admitted to the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic of xxxx Faculty of Medicine, were retrospectively reviewed. Measurements included anterior and posterior keratometry (K1, K2, Kmean), astigmatism values and axes, radii of curvature (Rflat, Rsteep, Rmean), asphericity (Q value), thinnest corneal thickness, corneal volume, anterior chamber volume (ACV), and anterior chamber depth (ACD). Patients were divided into four groups: 3–19, 20–39, 40–59, and ≥60 years. Age-related variations in parameters were analyzed. Results: A total of 1202 eyes of 601 patients (49.1% male, 50.9% female; mean age 35.3 ± 23.1 years) were included. Significant differences were found in anterior K1 and Kmean among the 20–39, 40–59, and ≥60 groups, and in anterior K2 between the 20–39 group and both younger and older groups. Posterior K2 differed between the 3–19 and ≥60 groups. Anterior and posterior radii increased in the 20–39 group but declined later, whereas posterior Rsteep rose with age. With-the-rule astigmatism decreased on the anterior surface but increased posteriorly, while against-the-rule and oblique astigmatism rose with age. Corneal asphericity showed more negative Q values after 40 years. ACV, ACD, corneal volume, and thinnest corneal thickness decreased progressively with age. Conclusions: The Turkish cornea shows age-related changes, becoming more prolate with age, with astigmatism shifts and reductions in chamber and corneal volumes. Key Words: Cornea, Corneal Topography, Pentacam.