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Abstract #19287 Published in IGR 9-3
Comparing central corneal thickness in a sub-Saharan cohort to African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans
Mercieca K; Odogu V; Fiebai B; Arowolo O; Chukwuka FCornea 2007; 26: 557-560
PURPOSE: To evaluate the central corneal thickness (CCT) of Africans in a glaucoma practice in a university teaching hospital in West Nigeria, Africa, and compare results with similar studies carried out in African American and Afro-Caribbean populations. METHODS: CCT was measured by means of ultrasound pachymetry (pachymeter used was Micropach 200 P+ Pachymeter; Sonomed) in only African participants with either glaucomatous or healthy eyes. After instillation of topical anesthetic, 3 measurements of corneal thickness were taken, and the average thickness for each was calculated. The relationship between CCT and age was studied using correlation analyses and t tests. A total of 70 eyes were included for analysis. RESULTS: The mean CCT of all participants was 532.00 μm. Glaucoma suspects and patients with glaucoma had corneas thinner than those of normal participants (527.36 and 536.91 μm, respectively); however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.296). Decreasing values of CCT were significantly related to older age (P = 0.002). Men had a significantly higher CCT than women (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: CCT values in African populations are less than those of whites. Decreasing values of CCT are significantly related to older age, and men have thicker corneas than women. There is a suggestion that CCT is lower in patients with glaucoma than in nonglaucomatous controls; however, the difference is not statistically significant. Comparing our results to other studies in literature, it seems that average CCT is similar between populations living in sub-Saharan Africa and African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans.
Dr. K. Mercieca, 15 Maplewood 117 Nell Lane, Manchester M20 2DU, UK. doctormercieca@yahoo.com
Classification:
2.2 Cornea (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
6.1.3 Factors affecting IOP (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.1 Intraocular pressure measurement; factors affecting IOP)
