Researchers recently identified corneal hysteresis as a potential new risk factor for glaucoma disease progression. In eyes with glaucoma, they found that asymmetries in corneal hysteresis were significantly associated with asymmetries in rates of visual field loss.

The prospective study of 126 participants aimed to investigate the relationship between asymmetries in glaucoma progression rates and in corneal properties of those with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Participants had glaucoma for an average of 4.3±0.8 years. The researchers measured corneal hysteresis at baseline, as well as standard automated perimetry and intraocular pressure at baseline and every six months.

The researchers found that only asymmetry of corneal hysteresis was significantly associated with the asymmetry in standard automated perimetry mean deviation rates of change between eyes. Corneal hysteresis asymmetry remained significantly associated with asymmetric progression, even after adjusting for age, race, central corneal thickness, mean IOP and baseline disease severity.

They concluded that corneal hysteresis is a risk factor for glaucoma progression.