Central Corneal Thickness in Spectral-Domain OCT and Associations with Ocular and Systemic Parameters

Abstract EN

Background.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows quantitative analysis of the anterior segment of the eye with a noncontact examination.

The aim of this study is to analyze associations of central corneal thickness (CCT) as measured by OCT with ocular and systemic cardiovascular parameters.

Methods.

A cross-sectional study of 734 persons was performed in a working age population.

Only healthy eyes were included.

A comprehensive ophthalmological examination including refraction, noncontact tonometry, and imaging of the anterior segment by SD-OCT was performed.

In parallel, a broad range of systemic cardiovascular parameters were measured.

Associations were analyzed using a generalized estimating equations’ model.

Results.

CCT measurements showed a significant association with corneal curvature and intraocular pressure: a thinner CCT was associated with a flatter cornea and with lower intraocular pressure ( p < 0.001 ).

Age was positively associated with CCT ( p < 0.001 ); all other cardiovascular parameters were not associated.

Conclusion.

A thinner cornea is associated with a flatter surface and with lower intraocular pressure readings, while there are no independent associations with refraction and systemic cardiovascular parameters.

Our findings highlight the value of SD-OCT CCT measurements as a standard tool in anterior segment analysis.