Association of intraocular pressure with ocular parameters in 14-18-year-old Chinese junior high students: the Anyang...

To examine the associations between intraocular pressure (IOP) and various ocular parameters among adolescents in central China.

This cross-sectional study included 2,267 participants from 40 classes across four junior high schools. Measurements of central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and axial length (AL) were performed using the Lenstar 900. Cycloplegic refractive state was assessed with an automatic optometer, while IOP was measured using a non-contact tonometer.

A total of 1,720 participants with valid data were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 15.39 ± 1.09 years, and 52% of participants were male. The mean CCT was 549.98 ± 32.586 μm, with males having a significantly higher mean CCT (552.47 ± 33.011 μm) compared to females (547.63 ± 32.043 μm) (t = 4.358, P < 0.001). The mean IOP was 15.39 ± 2.45 mmHg. IOP was significantly correlated with CCT (r = 0.390, P < 0.001), with regression analysis indicating a 0.37 mmHg increase in IOP for every 10 μm increase in CCT (y = -4.271 + 0.037x, P < 0.001). Additionally, IOP was positively associated with refractive error (r = 0.076, P < 0.001), AL (r = 0.088, P < 0.001) and corneal curvature (r = -0.025, P < 0.001), while no significant association was observed with ACD (r = 0.023, P = 0.207). Male participants had higher mean values for CCT, AL, and ACD, while female participants had greater corneal curvature.

In this cross-sectional study of Chinese adolescents, IOP demonstrated significant positive associations with CCT, refractive error, and AL, but no significant association with ACD. Additionally, sex-based differences were observed in key ocular parameters, highlighting the need to consider sex variations in ocular health assessments. These findings underscore the importance of considering CCT when interpreting IOP measurements in younger populations.