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Abstract #15799 Published in IGR 2-3
The role of central corneal thickness in the diagnosis of glaucoma
Thomas R; Korah S; Muliyil JIndian Journal of Ophthalmology 2000; 48: 107-111
PURPOSE: To determine the effect of central corneal thickness (CCT) on applanation tonometry and any resultant misclassification of normals as ocular hypertension. METHOD: The central corneal thickness was measured using the ultrasound pachometer in 50 normals, 25 glaucoma and 23 ocular hypertensive patients. Student's t test was used to determine any significant difference in CCT between the three groups. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean CCT of the ocular hypertensives (0.574 ± 0.033 mm) compared to the glaucomas (0.534 ± 0.030 mm) and normals (0.537 ± 0.034 mm). Applying the described correction factor for corneal thickness, 39% of eyes with ocular hypertension were found to have a corrected IOP of 21 mmHg or less. CONCLUSIONS: Increased corneal thickness in ocular hypertension may lead to an overestimation of IOP in 39% of cases. Measurement of central corneal thickness is advisable when the clinical findings do not correlate with the applanation IOP.
Dr. R. Thomas, Schell Eye Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Vellore, India. ravi@schell.cmc.ernet.in
Classification:
6.1 Intraocular pressure measurement; factors affecting IOP (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
