Evaluation of central corneal thickness in patients with ocular hypertension and primary open-angle glaucoma

To determine correlation between central corneal thickness (CCT) and applanation intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal patients with primary open angle glaucoma and patients with ocular hypertension.

Two-year retrospective study designed to determine correlation between CCT and IOP. Records of 121 patients were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were: IOP higher than 22 mm Hg for a group with ocular hypertension but without functional, morphological damage and progression, diagnosis of glaucoma for a group with open-angle glaucoma and normal ophthalmological results for a control group. Patients who were mono-oculus, patients with secondary glaucoma and who had surgical treatment were excluded. The patients were selectively grouped according to types of glaucoma, by gender and age. The IOP values were measured by Goldman's applanation tonometer, CCT values were determined using ultrasonic pachymeter, in the period from January 2011 to December 2012.

Of total 121 subjects, 51 had primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), 40 had ocular hypertension (OHT) and 30 had normal ophthalmological findings (control group). The CCT values in OHT group 529.37+/-25.18 μm were greater than of both POAG, 501.02+/-14.04 μm and control group, 497.37+/-14.90 μm. The IOP values in OHT group were 20.25+/- 3.62 mm Hg, and in POAG group were 18.25+/-2.70 mm Hg, while in the control group they were 13.53+/- 3.62 mm Hg.

Determination of CCT in patients with glaucoma is crucial, considering its impact on IOP values, which represents a parameter in glaucoma diagnosis, as well as monitoring further progress of ocular hypertension and patients diagnosed with glaucoma.