Do Postmenopausal Women have Thinner Central Corneal Thickness as Compared to Women in Reproductive Age Group?

Purpose: Certain changes occur in corneal tissue in women after menopause due to hormonal effects. Purpose of this study is to find out whether postmenopausal women have thinner central corneal thickness (CCT) when compared women of reproductive age group. Measurement of CCT is important for the success of refractive surgeries and for the calculation of intra ocular pressure. Methods: Central corneal thickness was measured in 60 eyes of 30 healthy postmenopausal women using ultrasound pachymetry. Thirty women in reproductive age group were taken as control group. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test. Result: Postmenopausal women have significantly thinner CCT as compared to women in reproductive age group (534.50 +/12.13 microns, 558.18 +/9.15 microns respectively, p<0.001). Conclusion: CCT is significantly reduced in postmenopausal women. This revelation warrants the need of accurate and periodic CCT measurements in every woman especially after refractive surgery.