The corneal-thickness profile in Hong Kong Chinese

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal topography
• Ocular biometry

Background:

• Corneal thickness is a critical biometric parameter influencing intraocular pressure measurements.
• Understanding ethnic variations in corneal thickness is essential for accurate ophthalmic assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the topographic corneal thickness in different regions of the eye in Hong Kong Chinese individuals.
• To analyze variations in corneal thickness based on age, gender, and ocular laterality.

Main Methods:

• Corneal thickness was measured using ultrasound pachymetry with a specialized X-Y plate.
• Measurements were taken at the central cornea and at peripheral regions (nasal, temporal, superior, inferior) 2 and 5 mm from the center.
• A headrest was utilized to minimize subject movement during measurements.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in corneal thickness was observed between the right and left eyes.
• Corneal thickness showed no significant variation across the four quadrants at midperipheral and peripheral locations.
• A general trend of corneal thinning was noted with increasing age, irrespective of gender.

Conclusions:

• The mean central corneal thickness in Hong Kong Chinese subjects ranged from 541.7 to 560.8 micrometers, influenced by age.
• Findings align with existing studies on corneal thickness, offering valuable data for future research specific to the Chinese population.