[Central corneal thickness in Senegalese melanoderms with primary open angle glaucoma]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Corneal Physiology

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.
• Central corneal thickness (CCT) is a significant factor influencing intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements and glaucoma risk assessment.
• Understanding ethnic variations in CCT is crucial for accurate glaucoma diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure central corneal thickness (CCT) in Senegalese individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
• To investigate the correlation between CCT and indicators of glaucoma severity, including visual impairment, intraocular pressure (IOP), optic nerve damage, and visual field defects.
• To assess the influence of age and sex on CCT in this population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patient records for individuals diagnosed with POAG.
• Measurement of CCT using ultrasonic pachymetry.
• Collection of data on best-corrected visual acuity (CVA), IOP via Goldmann tonometry, cup-to-disc ratio (C/D), and visual fields using automated perimetry.

Main Results:

• A total of 234 eyes from 117 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 56.53 years.
• Mean CCT was 525.40 ± 39.63 μm, showing no significant difference between sexes.
• Corneal thickness was found to be lower in patients over 50 years old, those with visual acuity <3/10, and eyes with a C/D ratio ≥ 0.8. CCT did not correlate with ocular hypertension or advanced visual field defects.

Conclusions:

• CCT in Senegalese patients with POAG is independent of sex and laterality but decreases with age.
• A thinner cornea is identified as a risk factor for visual loss and optic cup enlargement in POAG patients.
• Systematic measurement of CCT is important for accurate glaucoma assessment and risk stratification in this population.