Topographic Findings of the Porcine Cornea

Abstract The porcine eye is often used as an ex vivo animal model in ophthalmological research. It is well suited for investigations concerning refractive surgery; however, corneal topography data are scarce. This study investigated the corneal topography and pachymetry of the porcine eye to provide further reproducible data. We evaluated freshly enucleated porcine eyes (n = ۱۶) by performing computerized corneal topographies (Orbscan® IIz, Bausch and Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA). We assessed the steepest and flattest keratometric powers (K۱ and K۲, units in diopters (D)), astigmatism (D), white-to-white (WTW) diameter (mm), thinnest point pachymetry (µm), anterior and posterior best-fit sphere (BFS) (D), refractive power of the anterior and posterior curvatures, and total refractive power of the cornea (D). The mean keratometric powers were ۳۹.۶ ± ۰.۸۹ D (K۱) and ۳۸.۵ ± ۰.۹۲ D (K۲), and the mean astigmatism was ۱.۱ ± ۰.۷۸ D. The mean WTW diameter was ۱۳.۸۱ ± ۰.۸۳ mm, and the mean corneal thickness was ۸۳۲.۶ ± ۴۰.۱۸ µm. The BFSs were ۳۸.۱۴ ± ۰.۷۳ D (anterior) and ۴۲.۵۶ ± ۱.۱۵ D (posterior), and the mean refractive powers were ۴۳.۲۷ ± ۱.۰۸ D (anterior) and -۵.۱۵ ± ۰.۲۰ D (posterior); therefore, the mean of the total refractive power was ۳۸.۱۶ ± ۱.۰۰ D. The topography and pachymetry of the porcine cornea showed a specific configuration differing from the human cornea. When using animal ex vivo models such as porcine corneas for experimental corneal surgery, findings such as these should be considered.