Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide average values for central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal curvature (CC) and also to determine a regression model for the relationship between CCT and CC in adult Nigerians without glaucoma.Methods: A total of 95 subjects consisting of 56 males and 39 females aged between 20 and 69 years with mean age of 47.1 ± 14.1 years were recruited for the study. Central corneal thickness was measured by ultrasound pachymetry (SW-1000P ultrasound pachymeter, Tianjin Suowei Electronic Technology, China) and corneal curvature was measured by keratometry (Bausch & Lomb keratometer H-135A, USA).Results: The average values of 550.1 ± 33.1µm and 43.0 ± 1.1 D were obtained for CCT and CC respectively. CCT significantly correlated with age (p=0.01), and the regression model predicts a decrease of 6.0 µm in CCT per decade. No significant association was found between CC and age (p=0.56). Also, no significant association was found between CCT and CC (p=0.07). Female subjects had significantly steeper corneas than their male counterparts.Conclusion: Central corneal thickness decreases with increasing age. Neither CCT nor age appear to be significantly correlated with corneal curvature. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(1) 44-50)

Highlights

  • Central corneal thickness is an index for assessing the corneal health status[1]

  • There has been an increasing interest in determining the values and differences in normal central corneal thickness (CCT), especially as it is known to play a vital role in refractive surgery such as Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)[9], and in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma[3]

  • This study shows a mean CCT of 550.2 ± 33.1 μm for the study

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Summary

Introduction

The determination of corneal thickness has gained relevance in recent years, partly due to the growing interest in the continued use of contact lenses, refractive surgery and the early identification of those who are at a higher risk of developing primary open angle glaucoma. The diurnal variation of corneal thickness is an obstacle for repeated pachymetric measurements. A diurnal variation of 10 μm for the central thickness and 20 μm in the periphery at 40o was reported by Kiely et al[2]. It has been shown that central corneal thickness is a better predictor than intraocular pressure in identifying those at higher risk of developing primary openangle glaucoma when combined with some other risk factors.[3] Central corneal thickness is used to measure corneal rigidity, it has an impact on the accuracy of intraocular pressure by applanation tonometry[4].

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