Central Corneal Thickness and Corneal Curvature in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome With and Without Glaucoma

Purpose: To determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal curvature (CC) in pseudoexfoliative (PE) eyes with and without glaucoma. Methods: Charts of 551 consecutive patients undergoing preoperative examinations for cataract surgery between April 2006 and May 2009 in our clinic were reviewed retrospectively. Fourty-eight PE patients (48 eyes; 19 with glaucoma, 29 without glaucoma) and 48 age-matched and sex-matched control patients were enrolled in the study. The CCT, CC, intraocular pressure, and axial length were measured by ultrasonic pachymeter, autorefractokeratometer, Goldmann applanation tonometry, and ultrasound biometry, respectively. The independent samples t test and paired samples t test was used for the comparisons of the groups. Results: Mean CCT was significantly thinner in all PE and nonglaucomatous PE (Pseudoexfoliation syndrome "PES") eyes than in control eyes (P=0.004 and P=0.005, respectively). There was no difference in CCT between PE glaucoma (PEG) and control eyes (P=0.089). There was no difference in mean keratometry (K) and axial length in the study and control groups. In 22 unilateral PE eyes, mean CCT and K readings were insignificant between the PE eyes and fellow non-PE eyes. Conclusions: CCT was significantly thinner in eyes with PES compared with control eyes; however, difference between the PEG and control eyes was insignificant. In addition, mean K readings were not different in study and control eyes. Thinner CCT in eyes with PES, both as it is an independent risk factor and as a result of artificially lower intraocular pressure readings, may be an illuminating cause for development and rapid progression of glaucoma in the patients with PES.