Factors Affecting the Central Corneal Thickness in Nepalese Population

Abstract

Background: Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) is an important parameter for the detection and monitoring of glaucoma. Central corneal thickness (CCT) can influence the IOP estimated with Goldmann tonometry. A thick cornea overestimates the IOP and thin underestimates it. So, decreased CCT may lead to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of glaucoma and increased CCT may lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of glaucoma. The aim of the study is to identify the factors affecting the CCT in Nepalese population.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study which enrolled 152 subjects from period of January 2009 to May 2010. All subjects underwent ophthalmological examinations. CCT was measured with ultrasonic pachymeter and intraocular pressure was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometer. Results:The mean±SD CCT of right and left eye was 538±32 and 540±30µm respectively. CCT decreased with increasing age. Age and intra ocular pressure was significantly correlated with CCT. There was no significant correlation of gender and ethnicity with CCT.Conclusion: CCT decreased with increasing age. CCT was significantly correlated with age and intra ocular pressure but not with gender and ethnicity.

Central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in primary open angle glaucoma suspects in a south Indian population. Is it time for “corneal anthropology”?

“…Brahmins for instance had cornea thicker by around 10 µm (Indo-European ethnic group) as compared to Gurung ethnicity (mongoloid sub group). 26 As anthropology studies suggest, India has various diverse ethnic groups. 27 There have been very few studies done on Indian population groups with regards to the corneal thickness.…”

Comparison of central corneal thickness measurements obtained by community optometrists to those obtained in secondary care

“…It is also conceivable that the differences in CCT noted may have been due to genuine changes in CCT rather than measurement error. For example, numerous cross-sectional studies have suggested CCT decreases with age [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] . and changes in corneal hydration might affect measurements.…”

A comparative study of central corneal thickness, mean keratometry and astigmatism in persons with and without refractive errors in Taif

“…This non-significantly gender variation in this work is in agreement with Gelawet al, and are in contrary to some previous findings in which higher mean was found in males. 17,[23][24][25] So, there remains a need for more studies focusing on gender differences in CCT in different race groups in order to establish the reality of gender variation in CCT. 16 These conflicting results among different studies were attributed to differences in measuring methods.…”