The associations between corneal biomechanical parameters and glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.Various factors are related to the development and progression of glaucoma.High intraocular pressure is an important risk factor.In recent years, many studies have focused on other potential risk factors for glaucoma, such as intraocular pressure-independent factors, including vascular factors, central corneal thickness, etc.The relationship between corneal biomechanical parameters and glaucoma has been attracting more and more attentions.The corneal biomechanics measurement instruments include ocular response analyzer (ORA) and corneal visualization scheimpflug technology (Corvis-ST), which are all commonly used in clinical practice.Some studies showed that the corneas in glaucoma patients were more easily to deform.Corneal biomechanical characteristics may reflect the anatomic structure weakness of the eyeball.For example, more easily deforming of cornea results in smaller tolerance of sclera and lamina cribros to intraocular pressure, which makes the optic disc more vulnerable.This may be one of the causes of glaucomatous optic nerve damage.Corneal biomechanical parameters have a certain extent relationship with the severity of glaucoma.In order to probe into the pathogenesis of glaucoma deeply, we reviewed corneal biomechanics characteristics, application of corneal biomechanical properties measuring instruments in clinical practice and the relationships between corneal biomechanics characteristics and the development and progression of glaucoma, as well as the therapeutic effectiveness of glaucoma.