Central corneal thickness in subjects with glaucoma and in normal individuals (with or without pseudoexfoliation syndrome)

OBJECTIVE The evaluation of central corneal thickness (CCT) in subjects with pesudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and in normotensive individuals with or without pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS). STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS CCT was evaluated with ultrasound pachymetry in a total of 179 individuals: 32 had bilateral PEXG, 55 had bilateral POAG, 35 had PXS, and 57 were healthy individuals without PXS. RESULTS CCT in PEXG eyes (526.00 +/- 34.30 mum) was significantly thinner compared to POAG eyes (549.36 +/- 39.3 mum) (P = 0.027) and normal control eyes with (550.64 +/- 39.0 mum) or without PXS (547.36 +/- 33.1 mum), (P = 0.039 and 0.048 respectively). No statistically significant difference was found comparing CCT values of POAG eyes to control group eyes. CONCLUSION The evaluation of CCT is necessary in all patients with glaucoma and especially in those with PEXG due to the thinner cornea and the risk of underestimation of intraocular pressure.