Optical densitometric measurements of the cornea and lens in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to investigate the impact of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis on corneal and lenticular optical densitometry, pachymetry and anterior chamber depth in children.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients who had allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (study group) and 54 age-matched healthy children (control group) were recruited in this cross-sectional and comparative study. Corneal and lenticular optical densitometry, pachymetry, corneal volume and anterior chamber depth measurements were taken with the Scheimpflug imaging system.

RESULTS

The lens density and anterior chamber depth were similar between the groups (p > 0.05), while corneal density and thickness were significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.05). Although the corneal volume was higher in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

The cornea is affected in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in respect to optical density and thickness, while the anterior chamber and lens are not influenced.