Correlation between central corneal thickness, corneal curvature, corneal endothelial cell density and intraocular pressure measurements among a sample of non-glaucomatous population in Jordan

ABSTRACT

To study the interrelationships between central corneal thickness [CCT], radius of corneal curvature [CC], Endothelial Cell Density [ECD] and intraocular pressure [IOP] measurement using Goldmann applanation tonometry in a sample of non-glaucomatous Jordanian population. 195 eyes of 195 normal volunteers with a mean age of 37.4 years were included in the study, of which 60.5% were male. Both CCT and ECD were measured using a non-contact specular microscope [SP-2000p Topcon Corporation, Japan] while the CC was measured using the Javal-Schiotz keratometer [Haag-Streit mires]. The Goldmann applanation tonometer was used for IOP measurement. Only right eyes were used for statistical analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis were used to explore the relationships between the study variables. The mean [ +/- SD] IOP, CCT and ECD were 13.09 mmHg [ +/- 2.87], 514.6 micro m [ +/- 36.3] and 3076 [ +/- 558] cell/mm[2], respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in IOP, CCT and ECD between genders [student t-test, P=0.45, P=0.83, P=0.57, respectively]. The mean CC was 7.69mm [ +/- 0.28] in male subjects and 7.59mm [ +/- 0.24] in female subjects, with a statistically significant P value of 0.014. The change in CC with advancement of age showed a P value of 0.005. Neither CC nor ECD had a statistically significant relationship with IOP [P= 0.81 and P=0.15], respectively. But there was a significant relationship between CCT and IOP [P<0.001]. The results of this study showed that in a sample of non-glaucomatous Jordanian population IOP, CCT and ECD were sex independent while corneal curvature was steeper in the sampled females. There was a significant relationship between CCT and IOP, but not between CC or ECD and IOP