[Central corneal thickness in a healthy Spanish population].

OBJECTIVE To study the central corneal thickness of a Spanish population group and determine the influence of age, gender, axial length and refractive error on central corneal thickness (CCT) values. METHODS An observational, cross-sectional, double masked study was conducted on 357 eyes of consecutive Caucasian patients without ophthalmic disease. They were distributed according to age, and high refractive defects were excluded. Ultrasonic pachymetry and a complete eye examination were performed on all patients. The relationship between the central corneal thickness values and variables of age, refractive error, axial length and gender was assessed. RESULTS The mean central corneal thickness was 548.21 μm with a standard deviation (SD) of 30.7 μm (range 464 to 633 μm). The normal central corneal thickness value of the population studied was 486.81 to 609.61 μm (95% confidence interval). No statistical association was found between central corneal thickness values and variables of age, refractive error, axial length and gender. CONCLUSIONS Central corneal thickness varies according to race. We have analysed, for the first time, normal central corneal thickness values of a healthy Spanish population.