Corneal diameter negatively associated with central corneal thickness

Corneas in microphthalmic eyes have significantly higher central corneal thickness (CCT) regardless of whether or not the patient underwent congenital cataract surgery, according to a study published in the European Journal of Ophthalmology.

The investigation by Dr Ales Filous et al., Department of Ophthalmology for Children and Adults, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, involved 32 patients post-congenital cataract surgery with absolute microcornea (Group A), 13 patients with absolute microcornea without any history of eye surgery (Group B) and a control group of 124 healthy schoolchildren.

Patients with scars or corneal oedema were excluded from the study. Horizontal corneal diameter (HCD) was measured with calliper and CCT was recorded using an ultrasound pachymeter.

The findings demonstrated a significantly higher CCT of 635.13±65.35 µm and 642.31±93.07 µm, respectively in 48 eyes from group A and 16 eyes in Group B. This was compared to the mean CCT in the control group of 553.58±33.12 µm. A decrease in HCD and an increase in CCT were demonstrated by the regression curve in the microphthalmic eyes.