A comparative study of central corneal thickness measurement in four different groups by specular microscope

Abstract

Background: A prospective, randomized, single-site clinical trial conducted on patients attending our eye outpatient department. Objective: To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements by noncontact specular microscope in young, elder, cataract, and chronic primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Materials and Methods: Total 120 patients were selected which were divided into four groups of 30 patients in each group, i.e., Group A, B, C, and D. CCT was measured by noncontact specular microscopy. Group A was considered control group for rest of the groups while Group B was considered as a control for Group C and D. The P value was calculated using student paired t-test and P < 0.005 was considered significant. Results: In our study, out of 120 patients 74 (61.66%) were male while 46 (38.33%) were female. Male predominance is seen in all groups. In Group A the mean CCT was 545.17 ± 31.43 μm, in Group B it was 547.67 ± 21.16 μm, in Group C CCT was 524.03 ± 27.48 μm while in Group D it was 467.53 ± 31.21 μm. POAG patients have significantly lesser CCT as compared to other three groups. Conclusion: In this study, no significant difference in CCT of male and female was seen. Aging and cataract had no significant effect on CCT. Glaucoma patients had significantly lower CCT than young patients (P < 0.001) and elder patients (P < 0.001). It concludes that POAG patients have thinner cornea.