The relation between central corneal thickness, axial length and myopia among a sample of patients in Erbil

Abstract

Background and objective: Myopiais a common refractive error in the estimation of corneal barrier and well-beingof endothelial function, the central corneal thickness is important to manage corneal diseases. This study aimed to explore the relationship between central corneal thickness, axial length and myopia among a sample of patients in Erbil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2015 to February 2016. Forty six emmetropes as a control group and 46 myopes were studied. Axial length was measured with A-scan ultrasound biometry and central corneal thickness with corneal topography. Central corneal thickness was correlated with myopia and axial length using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: This study included 92 patients. The mean age of myopes was 31.87 years and 33 years for emmetropes. Myopia ranged from –0.5 to –11 diopters. The mean central corneal thickness was 541.80 micrometers for myopes and 548.93 micrometersfor emmetropes. The mean axial length was 25.77 millimetersfor myopes and 24.37 millimetersfor emmetropes.The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) of the central corneal thickness and myopia was -0.0245 (P =0.872), while that of the central corneal thickness and axial length in myopes was 0.035 (P = 0.566) and of the central corneal thickness and axial length in emmetropes was 0.26 (P = 0.091). Conclusion: There was no correlation between central corneal thickness, axial length and myopia. Keywords: Myopia; Central corneal thickness; Axial length.

Keywords

• Myopia
• Central corneal thickness
• Axial length