Monitoring keratitis resolution with optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: Biomicroscopy is generally used, sometimes in conjunction with photography or ultrasound pachymetry, to monitor conditions involving stromal keratitis and edema. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), a technology typically used to examine the posterior segment, may be useful in monitoring the therapeutic interventions for conditions involving corneal edema such as disciform keratitis.

CASE REPORTS: Two cases of disciform keratitis were followed to resolution using SD-OCT with anterior segment imaging software (Cirrus 4000; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) to quantify decreasing edema throughout treatment. The thickest area of the cornea was located and measured across time using SD-OCT until resolution was achieved. Throughout each case, SD-OCT allowed precise localization of microcystic edema and keratic precipitates as well as the objective measurement of therapeutic interventions resulting in reduced edema and thickness.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of SD-OCT allows objective measurements of corneal thickness and presents an additional method for following stromal keratitis with greater accuracy than can be appreciated using biomicroscopy alone.