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Central corneal thickness in children
1, Yasmin S Bradfield, B Michele Melia
1Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa, FL 33647, USA. pedig@jaeb.org
Insights
Central corneal thickness (CCT) increases with age in children up to 11 years. African American children have thinner corneas than white and Hispanic children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Corneal Physiology
Background:
- Central corneal thickness (CCT) is a critical ocular biometric parameter.
- Understanding CCT variations in pediatric populations is essential for accurate ophthalmic assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) in healthy white, African American, and Hispanic children from birth to 17 years.
- To investigate the influence of age, race, and ethnicity on CCT in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational multicenter study.
- Central corneal thickness (CCT) measured using a handheld contact pachymeter.
- Inclusion of 2079 children aged 0-17 years, including white, African American, and Hispanic participants.
Main Results:
- African American children exhibited thinner corneas (approx. 20 microm) compared to white and Hispanic children (P < .001).
- Median CCT increased with age from 1 to 11 years, plateauing after age 11.
- Higher intraocular pressure (IOP) correlated with thicker CCT (1.5 mm Hg per 100 microm), and myopia correlated with thinner CCT (1 microm per diopter).
Conclusions:
- Median CCT shows age-dependent increases in children aged 1-11 years, most pronounced in younger age groups.
- African American children have thinner central corneas on average than white and Hispanic children.
- White and Hispanic children demonstrate similar CCT values.
Objectives:
To determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) in healthy white, African American, and Hispanic children from birth to 17 years of age and to determine whether CCT varies by age, race, or ethnicity.
Design:
Prospective observational multicenter study. Central corneal thickness was measured with a handheld contact pachymeter.
Results:
A total of 2079 children were included in the study, with ages ranging from birth to 17 years. Included were 807 whites, 494 Hispanics, and 474 African Americans, in addition to Asian, unknown race, and mixed-race individuals. African American children had thinner corneas on average than that of both white and Hispanic children (P < .001 for both) by approximately 20 microm. Thicker median CCT was observed with each successive year of age from age 1 to 11 years, with year-to-year differences steadily decreasing and reaching a plateau after age 11 at 573 microm in white and Hispanic children and 551 microm in African American children. For every 100 microm of thicker CCT measured, the intraocular pressure was 1.5 mm Hg higher on average (P < .001). For every diopter of increased myopic refractive error, CCT was 1 microm thinner on average (P < .001).
Conclusions:
Median CCT increases with age from 1 to 11 years, with the greatest increase present in the youngest age groups. African American children on average have thinner central corneas than white and Hispanic children, whereas white and Hispanic children demonstrate similar CCT.