Normal-tension glaucoma and central corneal thickness.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a decreased corneal thickness is a primary factor in the lower intraocular pressure readings found in normal-tension glaucoma patients.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with normal-tension glaucoma were compared with 14 age- and sex-matched glaucoma patients. Corneal thickness was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry on each eye.


RESULTS
The corneal thickness (mean +/- SD) in patients with normal-tension glaucoma was 0.536 +/- 0.035 mm. The corneal thickness in patients with glaucoma was 0.537 +/- 0.035 mm. The 95% confidence interval for the difference between the two groups was -0.027 to +0.027 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
It has been documented that increased corneal thickness leads to high readings of intraocular pressure. Therefore, decreased corneal thickness may lead to a lower intraocular pressure reading. This study suggests that for most normal-tension glaucoma patients corneal thickness is not a major factor in accounting for the lower intraocular pressure measurements when compared with primary open angle glaucoma patients.
Peplinski
L
L
Lspepski@aol.com
Torkelson
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003315:Cornea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography