[Distribution of central corneal thickness in a melanoderm population]

To describe characteristics of central corneal thickness in a defined melanoderm population.

A retrospective study was performed on patients with and without glaucoma followed on the ophthalmology service of Tokoin teaching hospital in Lomé from January to September 2005. All subjects underwent central corneal thickness measurement by ultrasonic pachymetry between 8:00 and 11:00 am by the same operator.

A total of 1205 subjects (609 men and 596 women) were included in the study, corresponding to 2410 eyes. The participants were 3 to 85years old. Mean central corneal thickness was 532.94±34.82μm for the entire population, 532.56±36.25μm for the right eye, 533.44±35.96μm for the left eye, 536.38±34.67μm in men and 529.41±34.64μm in women. Central corneal thickness was greater (542.94μm) in the 6- to 10-year-old group and gradually decreased after 35years.

Melanoderm subjects have thinner central corneas, which may be related to the higher prevalence of ocular hypertension and glaucoma in our populations. Incorporation of corneal pachymetry with intraocular pressure measurements is essential in the early management of ocular hypertension and glaucoma, particularly in melanoderm subjects.