Eur J Anat, 7 (1): 15-18 (2003)

Assessment of central corneal thickness in extreme myopic eyes

Sanchis-Gimeno J.A., Casanova J., Alonso L., Rahhal S.M., Torner A.R., Soriano F.M.

Rahhal Opthalmology Clinic, Valencia, Spain; Dpto. Anatomia y Embriologia Humana, Facultad de Medicina de Valencia, Av/ Blasco Ibáñez 17, E-46010 Valencia, Spain

ABSTRACT Purpose: To study the central corneal thickness values in two groups of extreme myopic patients (cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction ?-12 diopters) and in a control group. Methods: We carried out ultrasonic pachymetry with the DGH 2000 AP ultrasonic pachymeter (DGH Technology, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). Group I (n=45) was made up of patients with spherical equivalent refraction ranging from -12.00 to -18.00 diopters; group II (n=25) with spherical equivalent refraction > -18.00 diopters, and the control group (n = 34) was made up of patients with spherical equivalent refraction ranging from -0.25 to -3.00 diopters. Results: Mean central corneal thickness (mean±SD) was 531±42 ?m, 551±52 ?m and 538±35 ?m in groups I, II and controls, respectively (p=0.193). No significant differences between women and men were found in group I (p=0.314), group II (p=0.071) and the control group (p=0.113). No significant differences among age subgroups were found in group I (p=0.989), group II (p=0.641) or in the control group (p=0.397). Conclusions: In extreme myopic eyes there is a slight tendency for central corneal thickness to increase in the presence of higher degrees of myopia. Nevertheless, central corneal thickness in extreme myopic patients is similar to that noted in non-extreme myopic patients.

Keywords: accommodation paralysis, adult, article, calculation, clinical article, controlled study, cornea thickness, female, human, male, myopia, pachometry, refraction error, statistical significance, ultrasonic pachymetry, vision test