Central Corneal Thickness in Children: Racial Differences (Black vs. White) and Correlation With Measured Intraocular Pressure

Abstract

To test the hypotheses that the mean central corneal thickness (CCT) of healthy black children is thinner than that of healthy white children and to confirm the relationship between increased CCT and measured intraocular pressure (IOP) in children. This prospective observational case series included 178 eyes of 92 children aged 9 months to 17 years without anterior segment abnormalities or a clinical diagnosis of glaucoma. CCT was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry and IOP was measured by Goldmann or Tono-pen technique. The mean CCT for the 102 eyes of 52 white children was 562+/-35 microm versus 543+/-37 microm for the 66 eyes of 35 black children (P = 0.02). There was a positive relationship between CCT and IOP (P = 0.0002). For every 100 mum increase in CCT, the IOP increased by 2.2+/-0.6 mm Hg. The mean CCT of black children is thinner than that of white children. There is a positive relationship between increasing measured IOP and CCT among children with normal corneas and anterior segments. The interpretation of elevated IOP in eyes with abnormal anterior segment anatomy and thickened corneas awaits further study.