Difference in normal corneal thickness and curvature between Mongolian and Han nationalities.

AIM To investigate the differences in central corneal thickness (CCT) and curvature in myopic patients with different genders between Mongolian and Han nationalities in the Inner Mongolia region. METHODS Patients with myopia, among whom 122 cases (244 eyes) were Mongolian and 150 cases (300 eyes) were Han, were selected. Pentacam was used to measure the corneal curvature, whereas CCT was determined by Pentacam, Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry. RESULTS Comparisons of the curvature of men and women in Mongolia showed a significant difference (P<0.05) by comparing of the CCT values measured by three methods in Han and Mongolian in Inner Mongolia, we can draw a conclusion that the CCT values measured by Pentacam are less than the values by Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry, and there are statistically significant difference in CCT measurement among the instruments except between the Orbscan and ultrasound pachymetry. The CCT values of Mongolians are more than Han people, and the analysis exhibited statistical significance. The CCT values measured by Orbscan in Mongolia of women are more than men, the difference showed statistical significance. CONCLUSION Corneal curvature in Mongolian females was significantly higher than that in males. However, no significant difference was observed among Han males and females. The CCT values of Mongolian females were higher than those of males. The normal CCT values measured by Pentacam in Mongolian myopic patients were smaller than those obtained by Orbscan or ultrasound. The normal CCT values of Mongolian patients with myopia were higher than those reported for domestic people.