CCT a risk factor for glaucoma damage

Article

CCT a risk factor for glaucoma damage

Central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal hysteresis could present a pressure-independent risk factor for glaucoma damage, according to a report in the May issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

N.G. Congdon and colleagues from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine conducted an observational study of 230 patients undergoing measurements for hysteresis, on the Reichert Ocular Response Analyser, and CCT by ultrasonic pachymetry. Charts were reviewed to determine highest known intraocular pressure (IOP), target IOP, diagnosis, number of years with glaucoma, cup-to-disk ratio (CDR), mean defect, pattern standard deviation, glaucoma hemifield test and the presence or absence of visual field progression. Of the 230 patients (127 female, 103 male) 85% had a diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or suspected POAG.

The researchers found that lower corneal hysteresis values (p=0.03) were associated with visual field progression, but CCT was not. When axial length was included in the model, hysteresis was not a significant risk factor (p=0.09). Thinner CCT measurements were associated with a higher CDR but neither CCT nor hysteresis were linked with mean defect, pattern standard deviation or glaucoma hemifield test. Thinner CCT was associated with the state of glaucoma damage, as indicated by CDR, and axial length and corneal hysteresis were linked to progressive field worsening.

It was concluded that CCT and hysteresis may constitute a risk factor for glaucoma damage, related to the composition of the eye wall itself.

Newsletter

Join ophthalmologists across Europe—sign up for exclusive updates and innovations in surgical techniques and clinical care.

Recent Videos
Alfredo Sadun, MD, PhD, chief of Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, shared exciting new research with the Eye Care Network during the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting on the subject of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).
At this year's Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nitish Mehta, MD, shared highlights from his research documenting real-world results of aflibercept 8 mg for patients with diabetic macular oedema.
ARVO 2025: Anat Loewenstein, MD, shares data from herself and her colleagues on meeting needs of patients with diabetic retinopathy
At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meeting, Sheng Lim, MD, FRCOphth discusses the benefit of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation for patients with primary open angle glaucoma and cataracts in the CONCEPT study
A photo of Seville, Spain, with the Congress on Controversies in Ophthalmology logo superimposed on it. Image credit: ©francovolpato – stock.adobe.com; logo courtesy COPHy
Anat Loewenstein, MD, Professor and Director, Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, discusses the Congress on Controversies in Ophthalmology (COPHy)
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times Europe) AGS 2025: Clemens Strohmaier, PhD, on improving aqueous humour outflow following excimer laser trabeculostomy
3 experts are featured in this series.
Anat Loewenstein, MD, speaks about the 22nd Annual Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration Meeting in February 2025 and shares her global forecast for AI-driven home OCT
3 experts are featured in this series.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.