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Analysing the correlation between differential corneal thickness along principal meridians and corneal astigmatism: implications for whole-eye astigmatism

Eye volume 39, pages 1465–1469 (2025)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to analyse the correlation between corneal astigmatism and disparity in corneal thickness.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, data from 342 patients (684 eyes) were collected. The Sirius three-dimensional corneal topography system was utilised to ascertain the mean corneal thickness of the meridians. Correlation analyses were conducted between the mean difference in corneal thickness along the two principal meridians and the astigmatic values computed by simulated keratometry values (Sim-K) for total corneal astigmatism (TCA) and posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA), respectively. Variability in differential corneal thickness (DCT) values at different TCA levels was analysed. The variability of DCT within the 3-mm corneal range at different differences between whole-eye astigmatism and TCA (Difference between corneal astigmatism and computer optometry, DWT) levels was analysed.

Results

Within the ranges of 3, 4.5, and 6 mm, the mean corneal thickness of the meridian with the maximum refractive power (Sim-K2) was greater than that of the meridian with the minimum refractive power (Sim-K1) (P < 0.05). The TCA showed a negative correlation with DCT across all three ranges (P < 0.001), whereas PCA exhibited a positive correlation with DCT (P < 0.001). A difference was observed among the TCA groups within each range, with DCT increasing alongside the dioptre of astigmatism (P < 0.05). In the 3 mm corneal range, an increase in the difference in corneal thickness was associated with an increase in the difference between whole-eye astigmatism and TCA (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The meridian with the maximum refractive power had a thicker mean corneal thickness than the meridian with the minimum refractive power. The difference in corneal thickness is closely related to the severity of corneal astigmatism. The extent of residual astigmatism is influenced by this thickness difference.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

Research Project of Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No.2021MS296).

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Dian Zhao, Bo Mei.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eye School of Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

    Dian Zhao, Bo Mei, Liting Zhu, Long Wen & Chunyang Zhou

  2. Ineye Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

    Bo Mei, Long Wen & Chunyang Zhou

  3. Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Ophthalmopathy Prevention & Cure and Visual Function Protection with TCM Laboratory, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

    Bo Mei & Chunyang Zhou

  4. Chengdu Aidi Eye Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

    Liting Zhu

Authors
  1. Dian Zhao
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  2. Bo Mei
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  5. Chunyang Zhou
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Contributions

Conception and design of the work: Zhao D, Mei B; Data collection: Zhu LT, Wen L, Zhou CY; Supervision: Zhao D, Mei B; Analysis and interpretation of the data: Zhu LT, Wen L, Zhou CY; Statistical analysis: Zhao D, Mei B; Drafting the manuscript: Zhao D, Mei B; Critical revision of the manuscript: all authors; Approval of the final manuscript: all authors.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chunyang Zhou.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Ineye Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM (No. 2020yh-004) and conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to any study-related procedures or examinations.

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Zhao, D., Mei, B., Zhu, L. et al. Analysing the correlation between differential corneal thickness along principal meridians and corneal astigmatism: implications for whole-eye astigmatism. Eye 39, 1465–1469 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-03645-0

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