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Abstract #15454 Published in IGR 1-3
Normal-tension glaucoma and central corneal thickness
Peplinski L; Torkelson KOptometry and Vision Science 1999; 76: 596-598
PURPOSE: 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.
Classification:
9.2.4 Normal pressure glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
