Age-related analysis of corneal biomechanical parameters in healthy Chinese individuals

To report the correlation between corneal biomechanical parameters and age in healthy Chinese individuals. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 864 eyes of 543 healthy participants. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination and corneal biomechanics examination using Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology (Corvis ST) were conducted. Based on age, all participants were further divided into five age groups (n) as follows: group A, 11-20 years (105); group B, 21-30 years (112); group C, 31-40 years (113); group D, 41-50 years (100); and group E, > 50 years (113). Using Corvis ST, we examined 35 corneal biomechanical parameters and compared them across the different age groups. Spearman's correlation coefficients and stepwise multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate whether the corneal biomechanical parameters were related to demographic and ocular characteristics. A correlation analysis between the left and right eyes revealed that 13 parameters were significantly associated with eye differences. Among the 35 corneal biomechanical parameters, 28 exhibited significant differences across the age groups, with stiffness parameter at applanation 1(SPA1) showing an upward trend after the age of 30 and stress-strain index (SSI) demonstrates a statistically significant upward trend when comparing the five age groups in the study. Additionally, Spearman's correlation analysis and stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that 11 corneal biomechanical parameters were positively correlated with age and 10 were negatively correlated with age. Corvis biomechanical index (CBI) was significantly negatively correlated with intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT), SSI was significantly positively correlated with age and IOP, and SPA1 were positively correlated with IOP and CCT. In conclusion, most corneal biomechanical parameters showed a significant correlation with age, with corneal stiffness progressively increasing alongside advancing age, IOP, or CCT.