The influence of the central corneal thickness on the characteristics of the ophthalmic tone in the children presenting with congenital microphthalmia

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the influence of the central corneal thickness on the characteristics of the ophthalmic tone in the children presenting with congenital microphthalmia of different severity and to describe its clinical significance for diagnostics of glaucoma and prescription of hypotensive therapy. Materials and methods. A total of 40 children (80 eyes) at the age from 5 to 17 years presenting with congenital microphthalmia of different severity were available for the examination. The children remained under the examination during 10 and more years. They were divided into three groups in terms of severity of microphthalmia. Thirteen children were admitted with the diagnosis of “glaucoma”. The comprehensive ophthalmological examination was supplemented by the measurement of the central corneal thickness. Results. The analysis of the results of the examination gave evidence of the increased central corneal thickness in all the patients with grade 1 - III microphthalmia included in the study. The measurement of the central corneal thickness is important for the establishment of the diagnosis of “glaucoma” because it exerts the direct influence on the characteristics of the ophthalmic tone in the children presenting with congenital microphthalmia. Conclusion. The present study has demonstrated the fairly well apparent relationship between the central corneal thickness, the severity of microphthalmia and intraocular pressure (IOP) in the children presenting with congenital microphthalmia. The higher the severity of microphthalmia the greater the central corneal thickness and the intraocular pressure.