Trans Palpebral Intraocular Pressure Measurement by Diaton Tonometer and Central Corneal Thickness in Eyes before and after Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy of Saudi Patients

PURPOSE: The influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement by Diaton is debatable. We present a correlation of CCT to transpalpebral IOP (tpIOP) and its determinants in patients undergoing transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TPRK) in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study held in 2022, the IOP of patients undergoing TPRK was measured by Diaton tonometer. The CCT was measured before and 1 week after refractive surgery. The correlation coefficient of CCT and IOP and its Pearson P value were estimated. The effects of gender, type of refractive error (RE), and corneal epithelial thickness (CET) on the correlation of IOP to CCT were reviewed. RESULTS: We studied 202 eyes in 101 patients (Male: Female, 47:53; age 25.7 ± 5.8 years). The tpIOP was 15.1 ± 2.8 mmHg before, 15.9 ± 2.8 mmHg 1 week after, and 15.7 ± 4.1 mmHg 1 month after TPRK. The CCT was significantly correlated with tpIOP before surgery (Pearson correlation 0.168, P = 0.017) and after tPRK (Pearson correlation 0.246, P < 0.001). Gender (P = 0.96), CET (P = 0.43), and type of RE (P = 0.99) were not significant determinants of correlation between CCT and tpIOP before TPRK. The correlation of tpIOP and CCT was not affected by gender (P = 0.07), CET (P = 0.39), and type of RE (P = 0.13). CONCLUSION: CCT should be considered before interpreting tpIOP measured by with Diaton. Diaton could be a useful tool to monitor IOP changes in young patients undergoing refractive surgery.