Central Corneal Thickness Measurements in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Patients: A Controlled Study

Abstract EN

Purpose.

To measure central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with history of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Patients and Methods.

Patients older than 40 years with a history of NAION (group 1) were prospectively evaluated including full eye examination and central corneal thickness (CCT) pachymetry.

Patients with a history of intraocular surgery, corneal disease, glaucoma, and contact lens wear were excluded.

Measurements were also performed in a gender and age matched control group (group 2).

Results.

Thirty-one eyes of 31 NAION patients in group 1 were included and 30 eyes of 30 participants in group 2.

There were 15 men in group 1 and 9 in group 2 P = 0.141 , and mean age of the patients was 59 ± 10 years in group 1 versus 61 ± 11 years in group 2 P = 0.708 .

Mean CCT was 539 ± 30 microns in group 1 and 550 ± 33 microns in group 2 P = 0.155 .

Conclusion.

Patients with NAION have no special characteristic of CCT in contrast to the crowded optic disc known to be a significant anatomic risk factor for NAION.

More studies should be carried out to investigate CCT and other structure related elements in NAION patients.