Central corneal thickness in subjects with glaucoma and in normal individuals (with or without pseudoexfoliation syndrome)

OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of central corneal thickness (CCT) in subjects with pesudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and in normotensive individuals with or without pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS). STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS: CCT was evaluated with ultrasound pachymetry in a total of 179 individuals: 32 had bilateral PEXG, 55 had bilateral POAG, 35 had PXS, and 57 were healthy individuals without PXS. RESULTS: CCT in PEXG eyes (526.00 ± 34.30 μm) was significantly thinner compared to POAG eyes (549.36 ± 39.3 μm) (P = 0.027) and normal control eyes with (550.64 ± 39.0 μm) or without PXS (547.36 ± 33.1 μm), (P = 0.039 and 0.048 respectively). No statistically significant difference was found comparing CCT values of POAG eyes to control group eyes. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of CCT is necessary in all patients with glaucoma and especially in those with PEXG due to the thinner cornea and the risk of underestimation of intraocular pressure.