Central corneal thickness among Aboriginal people attending eye clinics in remote South Australia

Abstract

To determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) and its demographic associations among Aboriginal people attending eye clinics in remote South Australia. A clinic-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving opportunistic sampling of patients. Eligible participants underwent measurement of CCT by ultrasound pachymetry. The results were compared with a group of Caucasian control patients. All patients (189) who were invited to participate in the study had their CCT measured. The mean age was 44.8 +/- 14.5 years, and women comprised 57.7% of the sample. The control group consisted of 115 Caucasian participants. The mean age was 47.1 +/- 14.8 years, and women accounted for 55.7% of the sample. Mean CCT for Aboriginal participants was 514.9 +/- 30.5 microm in the right eye and 515.6 +/- 30.5 microm in the left eye (t = 1.1, P = 0.3). Mean right CCT for Caucasian participants was 544.6 +/- 31.9 microm and mean left CCT in this group was 547.1 +/- 32.2 microm (t = 4.6, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the right (t = 8.4, P < 0.001) and left (t = 8.8, P < 0.001) CCT of Aboriginal and Caucasian participants. The CCT among Aboriginal patients attending eye clinic in remote South Australia was significantly thinner than that of a Caucasian control group. Thinner corneas among this group of Aboriginal patients may indicate a need to adjust intraocular pressure according to CCT and to be more vigilant for glaucoma.