The influence of central corneal thickness and corneal curvature and axial length on the measurement of intraocular pressure.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the influence of central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal curvature (CC), and axial length (AL) on intraocular pressure (IOP).


METHODS
Eighty-one clinically normal eyes were included in our study. The IOP, CCT, CC, AL were measured using a Goldmann applanation tonometer, optical pachymeter, keratometer and A-scan ultrasound biometer respectively in all subjects.


RESULTS
A highly significant positive correlation was identified between IOP and CCT. Linear regression analysis suggests that an increase in CCT of 0.010 mm is associated with a 4.946 mmHg increment in IOP. No significant positive correlation was identified between IOP and CC. P values are 0.724 and 0.414 respectively for vertical and horizontal readings. A paradoxically reversed correlation was present between IOP and axial length.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal thickness is a very important confounding factor in the measurement of intraocular pressure, which warrants further attention in our clinical practice.
Li
Qing
Q
Medical College of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510089, China.
Li
Minru
M
Fan
Zhigang
Z
Wang
Ningli
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods