Increased central cornea thickness in systemic sclerosis

Central cornea thickness (CCT) was measured in 32 patients with systemic sclerosis by the Haag-Streit pachymeter with improved centrality. Results were compared with measurements in 29 healthy adults matched with respect to sex and age. CCT was increased (P less than 0.001) in patients with systemic sclerosis (mean 0.56 mm, average SD right and left side 0.0297 mm) as compared to the controls (mean 0.51 mm, SD 0.0109 mm). CCT of right and left eye was increased in 69% and 72% of patients with systemic sclerosis as compared to controls (mean 0.51 mm +/- 2 SD). CCT increased during the first 8 years of the disease (correlation coefficient 0.593) reaching a plateau after 8 years (correlation coefficient 0.005). CCT did not increase during medical treatment with collagen inhibitors. Measurement of CCT may be useful as a supplement to other quantitative methods for diagnosis and control of systemic sclerosis.