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Corneal thickness in glaucoma screening, diagnosis, and management
1Glaucoma Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA. jdbrandt@ucdavis.edu
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|March 17, 2004
Summary
Central corneal thickness (CCT) is a key factor in glaucoma risk assessment. Measuring CCT is crucial for understanding individual glaucoma risk and improving tonometry accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Glaucoma Research
Background:
- Central corneal thickness (CCT) significantly influences tonometry measurements, particularly Goldmann applanation tonometry.
- The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) identified CCT as a critical predictor of glaucoma development in at-risk individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies published after the OHTS report concerning CCT.
- To contextualize current knowledge on CCT's relationship with tonometry and glaucoma risk.
Main Methods:
- Review of post-OHTS studies examining central corneal thickness.
- Analysis of CCT's predictive value for glaucoma development.
- Investigation of racial variations and glaucoma-specific CCT differences.
Main Results:
- Subsequent research confirms an inverse relationship between CCT and glaucoma damage risk.
- Racial differences in CCT have been substantiated.
- Preliminary findings suggest systematic CCT variations in different glaucoma types.
Conclusions:
- Pachymetry should be integrated into comprehensive eye exams due to its value in assessing glaucoma risk.
- Knowledge of individual CCT is essential for accurate glaucoma risk stratification.
- Despite the lack of a universal IOP correction algorithm, CCT measurement is vital.