Central corneal thickness in children and adolescents with pediatric glaucoma and eye disorders at risk of developing glaucoma.
BACKGROUND
To investigate central corneal thickness (CCT) in children with glaucoma and at risk for glaucoma.


METHODS
The study included 139 children with glaucoma: 66 at risk for glaucoma (ie, aphakia, aniridia, or uveitis) and 66 normal children. CCT was measured by ultrasound pachymetry and intraocular pressure (IOP) by applanation. Analysis of variance was used to compare CCT between groups. Correlation analysis assessed associations between CCT and ocular factors including spherical equivalent, cup-to-disc ratio, glaucoma medications, and number of intraocular surgeries.


RESULTS
CCT was significantly higher for 141 eyes with glaucoma (mean: 0.598 mm, P < .001) and 76 eyes at risk for glaucoma (mean: 0.604 mm, P = .001) than for 66 normal eyes (mean: 0.558 mm). No significant difference was observed between at-risk (P = .989) and glaucoma eyes. Eyes with aphakia (0.653 mm) and aniridia (0.639 mm) had the thickest CCT values. Thinnest CCT was found in anterior segment dysgenesis and uveitis (mean: 0.541 mm). A significant positive correlation between CCT and spherical equivalent was found for glaucoma (r = 0.413; P < .001) and at-risk (r = 0.412; P < .0003) eyes, and between CCT and intraocular surgery for at-risk eyes (P = .0066). A significant negative correlation was found between CCT and cup-to-disc ratio for glaucoma eyes (r = -0.223; P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest series of CCT in pediatric glaucoma and related disorders. The data suggest caution in application of standard formulas for IOP-to-CCT correction when evaluating children with glaucoma because their mean CCT values extend far beyond values reported for normal eyes.
Lopez
Juan P
JP
Departments of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Freedman
Sharon F
SF
Muir
Kelly
K
Duncan
Lois
L
Stephens
Derek
D
Atenafu
Eshetu
E
Levin
Alex V
AV
D000293:Adolescent; D015783:Aniridia / Q000150:complications*; D001036:Aphakia, Postcataract / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications*