title: Central Corneal Thickness in Spectral-Domain OCT and Associations with Ocular and Systemic Parameters.
abstract: Background. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows quantitative analysis of the anterior segment of the eye with a noncontact examination. The aim of this study is to analyze associations of central corneal thickness (CCT) as measured by OCT with ocular and systemic cardiovascular parameters. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 734 persons was performed in a working age population. Only healthy eyes were included. A comprehensive ophthalmological examination including refraction, noncontact tonometry, and imaging of the anterior segment by SD-OCT was performed. In parallel, a broad range of systemic cardiovascular parameters were measured. Associations were analyzed using a generalized estimating equations' model. Results. CCT measurements showed a significant association with corneal curvature and intraocular pressure: a thinner CCT was associated with a flatter cornea and with lower intraocular pressure (p < 0.001). Age was positively associated with CCT (p < 0.001); all other cardiovascular parameters were not associated. Conclusion. A thinner cornea is associated with a flatter surface and with lower intraocular pressure readings, while there are no independent associations with refraction and systemic cardiovascular parameters. Our findings highlight the value of SD-OCT CCT measurements as a standard tool in anterior segment analysis.
authors.affiliation: Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Ludolf-Krehl-Straße 7-9, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander Karl-Georg
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6304-3599
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.affiliation: Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Ludolf-Krehl-Straße 7-9, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim Ernst
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Ludolf-Krehl-Straße 7-9, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Urs
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Vossmerbaeumer