Comparison of Central Corneal Thickness Measurements by Pentacam and Ultrasound Pachymetry in Normal Myopic Patients

Precise measurement of corneal thickness is of crucial importance in corneal refractive procedures. The aim of this work is to compare the central corneal thickness measurements using Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam) and contact US pachymetry in normal myopic patients.

This retrospective cohort study was conducted on in 144 eyes of 72 normal myopic patients during 6 months. The study location was the Research Institute of Ophthalmology (Giza, Egypt), and Magrabi Eye Hospital (Dubai, United Arab Emirates). Central corneal thickness was measured with the two devices. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson-Product Moment Correlation Coefficient.

The mean age was 25.3±5.6 years (range 18 to 38 years). The median age for our patients is 24 years. The average measurements of CCT were 526.8±35.3 and 529.1±37.9 for the Pentacam pachymetry and US pachymetry values, respectively. Mean difference between both measurements was 2.3±2.6μm which is statistically insignificant (p=0.08). Bland Altman Plot shows border line agreement of the two methods US pachymetry and Pentacam in detection of central corneal thickness.

The results of this study showed no significant differences in CCT readings between the measurements obtained by Pentacam and US pachymetry in normal myopic patients.