Abstract

SO.11.06

Has rheumatoid arthritis an influence on the biomechanics of the Cornea?

Melanie Heinke1, Katrin Krause2, Andrea Baumann2, Christof Pohl3, Rieke Alten3, Carl Erb1
1Augenheilkunde, Schlosspark-Klinik, Berlin; 2Technische Fachhochschule, Berlin; 3Rheumatologie, Schlosspark-Klinik, Berlin

Objective
Important ocular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are keratokonjunctivitis sicca, keratitis, episcleritis and scleritis. Ocular involvement is typical for a long disease duration of RA and a positive verification of rheumatoid factor. The aim of this study was to prove whether patients with a disease duration of more than 10 years of RA show changes concerning the biomechanics of the cornea because of a collagen remodeling processes.
Methods
Thirtyeight patients with RA (f:m = 31:7, average of age ± standard deviation 57,47±5,04 years) randomized with a control group of 41 patients (f:m = 31:10, 55,24±3,39 years) were included in this study. Besides the anamnesis, we performed the measurement of the corneal thickness with the Orbscan II, the corneal hysteresis (CH) and the corneal resistance factor (CRF) with the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA).
Results
The central corneal thickness of patients with RA showed an average of 584 ± 37,44 µm (mean±standard deviation. There was no significant difference according the control group (571 ± 38,49 µm). In addition no statistical significant difference of the corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor were found between the two tested groups (mean ± standard deviation, CH RA 11,74±1,35mm Hg; control group (C) 11,32±1,46mm Hg; CRF: RA 11,74±1,35mm Hg, C 11,32±1,46mm Hg).
Conclusions
Despite the long duration of RA we could not find any changes of the cornea concerning collagenosis. Consequently in future investigations the corneal thickness, corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor in patients with RA do not have to be taken into consideration.

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