The Mean Central Cornea Thickness and Associated Factors among Adult Patients Attending Mulago Hospital Eye Clinic Kampala, Uganda

Background: The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) values are known to have an influence on intraocular pressure measurement and vary widely with age, sex and ethnicity. Little is known about the pattern of CCT in central Uganda. Aim: To determine the mean central corneal thickness and its associated factors among adult patients attending Mulago Hospital eye clinic, Kampala Uganda. Design and Method: A cross sectional study was done from August to October 2016 on 270 adult patients selected by systemic random sampling. The study included all adult patients who attended the eye clinic during the study period and consented to the study excluding those who had conditions causing abnormal thinning, thickening or irregularity of the cornea. The participants were evaluated by history taking and ocular examination including visual acuity assessment, slit lamp examination, central cornea thickness measurement, intraocular pressure measurement and funduscopy. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire, entered using Epidata and analyzed by STATA11.0. Results: Of the 270 patients examined, 61% were female, 39% male, the mean age being 42 years ranging from 18 to 96 years. The mean central corneal thickness for both eyes was 539.3 (SD ± 41.65 μm) ranging from 332 μm to 701 μm and mean intraocular pressure was 15 (SD ± 5.34) mmHg. Gender, ethnicity, IOP, glaucoma, hypertension, diabetes, refractive error, were not statistically significantly associated with central cornea thickness. However central cornea thickness was statistically significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (r = -0.24, p = 0.025) and age (p = 0.002). A one-year increase in age reduced the mean central cornea thickness by 0.54 μm. Conclusion: The average CCT of Ugandan adult population was 539.3 ± 41.65 μm which falls in the category of normal central cornea thickness. Central corneal thickness reduced with increasing age and increasing systolic blood pressure.

Central Corneal Thickness of Diabetic Patients in Yaoundé: Case Control Study

Background: To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) values measured in diabetic eyes and compare the CCT values in normal patients without diabetes. Methods: A total of 83 diabetic patients and 83 non-diabetic patients were prospectively enrolled in this comparative case series. CCT was measured using a Topcon CT-1P non-contact automated pachymeter, and values were compared. Results: Mean age was 57 ± 11 years, with a range of 23 and 80 years. The mean CCT was 508.87 ± 35.83 μm for diabetic patients and 513.41 ± 37.22 μm for non-diabetic patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the CCT of diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients (p = 0.260). We did not find a significant correlation between the CCT of diabetic patients and clinical characteristics of diabetes. However, there was a positive and statistically significant linear correlation between the CCT of diabetic patients and intra ocular pressure (IOP). Conclusion: The mean CCT in diabetic patients was lower than in non-diabetic control patients, although there was no statistically significant difference.