A comparative study of central corneal thickness, mean keratometry and astigmatism in persons with and without refractive errors in Taif

Abstract

Background: Corneal topography is an important parameter in the evaluation of corneal disease, but there is no average value of normal corneal geometry in Saudi individuals is known. So, this study aimed to establish a standard normal value for central corneal thickness (CCT), mean keratometry (km), and astigmatism in Saudi individuals to be used as a reference value, and to compare these results with the same parameters in patients who have refractive errors. Methods: This study was performed from January 2016 to July 2017 at King Faisal Hospital in Taif, KSA, and included a current group of 105 eyes without refractive errors, and 250 eyes with refractor errors. Results: The mean CCT value was 551.681 µm, km value was 43.426 D, and astigmatism was 0.784 D for all eyes with normal visual acuity. However, these values are the statistically significant difference between different ages, but no significant differences according to sex. Regarding the eyes with refractive error, it was found that the mean CCT was 509.66 µm, km was 46.79 D, and for astigmatism was 3.97 D. When the results of two groups were compared, there was a significant difference between them except for km in the group a; (12-20 years). Conclusions: The standard value of central corneal thickness, mean keratometry, and astigmatism in Saudi individuals is differing according to the age but it is the same in both genders. These values are differing statistically in patients with refractor error.