Comparison of central corneal thickness, corneal curvature and axial length values in pseudoexfoliation cases with or without cataract

Abstract

Pseudoexfoliation (PE) is an age-related condition characterized with production and progressively accumulation of extracellular fibrotic material in ocular tissues. In this study, it was aimed to compare central corneal thickness in terms of average keratometric values and axial length in control group and eyes with PE with or without cataracts. Files of the cases who were admitted to Gaziantep University, Medical Faculty, Ophthalmology Clinic between January 2004 and February 2011, and diagnosed as PE were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were performed a detailed ophthalmologic examination including ultrasonic pachtmetry, automatic keratorefractometry and ultrasonic biometry measurements. Study group was consisted of a total 159 cases with PE (115 cases with cataract and 44 cases with no cataract) and 60 healthy subjects (control group). Mean central corneal thickness value of the cases with PE was 537.20±5.24 microns, axial length values was 23.31±1.03 mm, and mean keratometric values was 44.06±0.24 diopter, while these values for control group were 556.23±13.21 micron, 23.12±0.98 mm, and 44.28±0.65 diopter, respectively. When PE cases and controls were compared, the difference was significant (p0.05). Mean central corneal thickness value, axial length, and mean keratometric value of the cases with PE cataract were 541.93±48.29 micron, 23.07±1.32 mm, and 44.59±1.29 diopter, respectively. These values were 540.28±4.34 micron, 23.31±1.03 mm, and 44.06±0.24 diopter for the cases without PE cataract. A significant difference was not detected between the cases with and without cataract in terms of average central corneal length, axial length, and keratometric values (p>0.05). Cornea was seen to be thinner in cases with pseudoexfoliation compared to control group. Central corneal thickness measured in these subjects was not detected to be different in terms of average keratometric values and axial length in eyes with or without cataract.