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Corneal thickness in children
Mohamed A W Hussein1, Evelyn A Paysse, Nicholas P Bell
1Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
Insights
Pediatric corneal thickness measurements show gradual increases with age, reaching adult levels by age 5-9. These findings provide crucial data for understanding normal pediatric eye development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Corneal Physiology
Background:
- Accurate corneal thickness measurements are vital for pediatric eye care.
- Understanding normal corneal thickness in children is essential for diagnosing various ocular conditions.
- Previous studies have not comprehensively assessed central and paracentral corneal thickness across diverse pediatric age and racial groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative central and paracentral corneal thickness values in a pediatric cohort.
- To investigate the consistency of these measurements across different pediatric age strata.
- To evaluate potential variations in corneal thickness among different racial groups in children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational case series design was employed.
- Pachymetry measurements were taken from 198 eyes of 108 children, including central and four paracentral sites.
- Statistical analyses, including t-tests and ANOVA, were used to compare thickness values across age and racial groups.
Main Results:
- Mean central corneal thickness (CCT) was 549 ± 46 µm; paracentral measurements were significantly thicker.
- Corneal thickness showed a statistically significant increase with age, reaching adult levels by 5-9 years (ANOVA P = .012).
- No significant differences in CCT were found among different racial subgroups.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric corneal thickness gradually increases with age.
- Normal adult corneal thickness values are attained between 5 and 9 years of age.
- These normative data are valuable for pediatric ophthalmological assessments.
Objective:
To determine normal central and paracentral corneal thickness measurements in the pediatric population and to determine if these measurements are consistent across different pediatric age groups and different racial groups.
Design:
Prospective observational case series.
Methods:
Pachymetry measurements were performed on 198 eyes of 108 children. The measurements were taken centrally as well as at four paracentral sites 3 mm from the corneal center at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions. The two-tailed t test was used for comparison of the continuous means for values of corneal thickness. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine differences among age and ethnic groups
Results:
The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) was 549 +/- 46 microm. Paracentral corneal thickness mean values, as measured 3 mm from the corneal center, were as follows: superior, 575 +/- 52 microm; nasal, 568 +/- 50 microm; inferior, 568 +/- 51 microm; and temporal, 574 +/- 47 microm. The mean CCT values were significantly thinner than at each of the mean paracentral points (P < .05 for each comparison, paired t test). Paracentral corneal thickness measurements demonstrated no significant differences between locations (P > .05, variance analysis). The mean CCT +/- SD for each age group was as follows: 6 to 23 months, 538 +/- 40 microm; 2 to 4 years, 546 +/- 41 microm; 5 to 9 years, 566 +/- 48 microm; and 10 to 18 years, 554 +/- 35 microm (ANOVA P = .012). ANOVA performed on central pachymetry values demonstrated no significant differences among racial subgroups.
Conclusions:
Pediatric central and paracentral corneal thicknesses increase slowly over time and reach adult thicknesses at 5 to 9 years of age.