Corneal biomechanical properties and their correlates with refractive error

Purpose: The aim was to study the link between refractive error and corneal biomechanical properties. Methods: Corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor were measured using the Ocular Response Analyser in 117 participants. The spherical equivalent refractive error of the participants ranged between -9.00 and +3.00D. Results: Corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor showed a considerable degree of variability between individuals. Corneal hysteresis was not found to correlate significantly with refractive error (p = 0.82). Corneal resistance factor showed a weak but significant correlation with spherical equivalent refractive error (r 2= 0.04; p = 0.03), with myopic participants exhibiting a higher corneal resistance factor compared with non-myopes. Conclusions: Refractive error accounted for four per cent of the variance in corneal resistance factor measurements, indicating that patients with mild to moderate myopia have higher corneal resistance compared with non-myopes. © 2011 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Optometry © 2011 Optometrists Association Australia.