study of factors influencing central corneal thickness among patients attending ophthalmology outpatient department at a tertiary care center in north kerala

Context: Central corneal thickness (CCT) was assumed to be a constant when Goldmann designed his applanation tonometer. Knowledge of the CCT is of importance in the assessment of intraocular pressures (IOPs). Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the association of CCT with ocular, demographic, and metabolic factors such as age, race, gender, smoking, alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, corneal curvature, and axial length. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 166 patients aged between 30 and 70 years who had presented for routine eye checkup from January 1, 2014, to July 1, 2015, in our Ophthalmology Department. Subjects and Methods: Patient parameters were recorded using an interview schedule, and complete ocular examination, including visual acuity and IOPs, were recorded. CCT was measured using PacScan Plus A-Scan/Pachymeter. Statistical Analysis Used: Mean CCT across different variables were compared using ANOVA and t-test. Further analysis was done using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: On univariate analysis, it was found that age, presence, and duration of diabetes, elevated fasting blood sugar levels, alcohol consumption, corneal curvature (in diopters), and IOP were associated with CCT. Multivariate analysis showed significant association of CCT with age, duration of diabetes, corneal curvature, and IOP (P < 0.05). Conclusions: From our study, we concluded that CCT was significantly associated with age, duration of diabetes, corneal curvature, and IOP. Duration of diabetes and IOP showed a positive correlation with CCT whereas age and corneal curvature showed a negative correlation.