Abstract
Main objectiveTo evaluate the distribution of central corneal thickness (CCT) in a large German cohort and to analyse its relationship with intraocular pressure and further ocular factors.DesignPopulation-based, prospective, cohort study.MethodsThe Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) cohort included 4,698 eligible enrollees of 5,000 subjects (age range 35–74 years) who participated in the survey from 2007 to 2008. All participants underwent an ophthalmological examination including slitlamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, central corneal thickness measurement, fundus examination, and were given a questionnaire regarding glaucoma history. Furthermore, all subjects underwent fundus photography and visual field testing using frequency doubling perimetry.ResultsMean CCT was 557.3±34.3 µm (male) and 551.6±35.2 µm in female subjects (Mean CCT from right and left eyes). Younger male participants (35–44 years) presented slightly thicker CCT than those older. We noted a significant CCT difference of 4 µm between right and left eyes, but a high correlation between eyes (Wilcoxon test for related samples: p<0.0001). Univariable linear regression stratified by gender showed that IOP was correlated with CCT (p<0.0001). A 10 µm increase in CCT led to an increase in IOP between 0.35–0.38 mm Hg, depending on the eye and gender. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed correlations between gender, spherical equivalent (right eyes), and CCT (p<.0001 and p = 0.03, respectively).ConclusionsWe observed positive correlations between CCT and IOP and gender. CCT was not correlated with age, contact lens wear, positive family history for glaucoma, lens status, or iris colour.
Highlights
central corneal thickness (CCT) was not correlated with age, contact lens wear, positive family history for glaucoma, lens status, or iris colour
Intraocular pressure readings are influenced by central corneal thickness (CCT) and may affect diagnosis, screening, and the management of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension
Prevalence of eye variables such as glaucoma, contact lens wear, eye drop application, relevant corneal pathologies, lens status, and eye diseases in family history is presented in table 1
Summary
Intraocular pressure readings are influenced by central corneal thickness (CCT) and may affect diagnosis, screening, and the management of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. IOP was demonstrated in patients with a normal corneal thickness of about 550 mm [2]. Many factors can affect CCT in the general population, such as age, gender, environmental and genetic factors, and race. The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study demonstrated a correlation between greater mean central corneal thickness and younger age, female gender, and diabetes. Patients with ocular hypertension had thicker corneas than the general population [4]. Other studies found a correlation between higher CCT and male gender and older age [5,6]
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