Anterior segment and Schlemm's canal alterations during the menstrual cycle in reproductive-age Turkish women.

Purpose: To investigate variations in central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal aberrations, and anterior chamber depth througout the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in reproductive-age women with regular menstruation using corneal topography and changes in Schlemm's canal (SC) diameter and area using the anterior segment (AS) module of enchanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).

Methods: Corneal topography and AS-EDI-OCT of 69 volunteers included in this prospective study were performed between days 1-5 of the cycle for the follicular phase and between days 25-35 for the luteal phase. SC diameter and area calculations were calculated using the ImageJ software.

Results: During the luteal phase, there was a significant increase in CCT and SC diameter and trefoil 0° aberrations compared with the follicular phase. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was obtained between intraocular pressure and SC diameter, and a significant negative correlation between CCT and SC diameter and area.

Conclusions: Changes in corneal and anterior chamber angle were observed due to hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle. This is the first study to investigate the changes in SC diameter and area and corneal aberrations during the menstrual cycle.