Factors affecting the central corneal thickness of Hong Kong-Chinese

Purpose. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of age, intr aocular pressure, refractive error (spherical equivalent) and corneal curva tures on the central corneal thickness of Hong Kong-Chinese. We also compar ed the central corneal thickness of Wong Kong-Chinese with those previously reported for other national/ethnic groups. Methods. The central corneal thicknesses of 151 subjects of age 10-60 yrs w ere measured using an ultrasound pachometer. Intraocular pressure, refracti ve error and the corneal curvatures of these subjects were also recorded. Results. The mean +/- SD central corneal thickness of the right eye and lef t eye were 575 +/- 32 mu m and 574 +/- 31 mu m respectively. No significant difference in central corneal thickness was found between the right and le ft eyes or between male and female subjects. Central corneal thickness decr eased with increasing age bur the effect appeared to be due to differences in female subjects only. The maximum decrease in central corneal thickness occurred in subjects in the age group of 10-25 yrs, and in this age group, central corneal thickness and age was significantly correlated in both male and female subjects. Intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness wa s significantly correlated. There was no correlation between central cornea l thickness and refractive error or between central corneal thickness and c orneal curvatures. Conclusions. Central corneal thickness decreased with increasing age but th is appeared to be due to female subjects only. Central corneal thickness wa s significantly correlated with intraocular pressure, but not with refracti ve error or corneal curvatures. Our subjects also had significantly thicker corneas than those reported for Caucasian subjects.