Evaluation of corneal thickness alterations during menstrual cycle in productive age women

Purpose: To determine the change in corneal thickness through different phases of menstrual cycle in women who are in their productive age. Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy women with normal past medical history were enrolled in this prospective study. Central corneal thickness was measured with ultrasound pachymeter three times during a menstrual cycle: Beginning of the cycle (days 1-3), ovulation time, and at the end of cycle (days 27-32). We confirmed ovulation time with determining a peak in luteinizing hormone in urine. To avoid the diurnal variation of the corneal thickness which is well recognized, we checked all our subjects at 10 in the morning. Results: In days 1 to 3 of menstruation, mean corneal thickness was 541.40 +/- 11.36 and 540.82 +/- 11.70 microns for left and right eyes respectively. At ovulation time the mean thickness changed to 556.50 +/- 7.11 and 555.98 +/- 7.26 microns for left and right eyes respectively, and at the end of the cycle, the corneal thickness turned in to 536.38 +/- 12.83 and 535.48 +/- 13.08 microns for left and right eyes respectively. The difference of corneal thickness was statistically significant relating to the different stages of menstrual cycle. Conclusion: The thickest cornea during the menstruation cycle is achieved at the ovulation time and the thinnest at the end of the cycle and this should be taken in to account whilst plan to do a corneal refractive surgery.