Age, gender, corneal diameter, corneal curvature and central corneal thickness in Nigerians with normal intra ocular pressure

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between age, gender, corneal diameter, central corneal curvature, central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure in Nigerians with normal intraocular pressure. MethodsOne hundred and thirty eyes from 130 subjects (mean age=47.8±16.8 years) including 77 males and 53 females were recruited. CCT was measured by ultrasound pachymetry, intraocular pressure was determined by non-contact tonometry, horizontal and vertical corneal diameters were measured with a ruler and central corneal curvature was measured by keratometry. ResultsThe mean values obtained were as follows: CCT=548.97±34.28μm, IOP=15.61±2.69mmHg, average corneal curvature (AVK)=42.98±1.19 D, horizontal corneal diameter (HVID)=11.39±0.69mm and vertical corneal diameter (VVID)=10.51±0.50mm. There was a significant effect of age on CCT (r=−0.35, p<0.001). A 10-year-increase in age was associated with a 7.0μm decrease in CCT. Males had significantly wider HVID than females (p=0.03). Subjects in older age groups have narrower HVID and VVID. Corneal curvature, corneal diameter and gender did not significantly affect CCT. ConclusionCCT of normotensive Nigerian adults decreases with increasing age. There was no correlation between CCT and IOP in normotensive subjects. CCT was not significantly influenced by gender, corneal curvature and corneal diameter.