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. 2011 Sep;129(9):1132-8.
doi: 10.1001/archophthalmol.2011.225.

Central corneal thickness in children

Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group  1 ; Yasmin S Bradfield, B Michele Melia, Michael X Repka, Brett M Kaminski, Bradley V Davitt, David A Johnson, Raymond T Kraker, Ruth E Manny, Noelle S Matta, Katherine K Weise, Susan Schloff
Collaborators, Affiliations

Central corneal thickness in children

Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group et al. Arch Ophthalmol. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) in healthy white, African American, and Hispanic children from birth to 17 years of age and to determine whether CCT varies by age, race, or ethnicity.

Design: Prospective observational multicenter study. Central corneal thickness was measured with a handheld contact pachymeter.

Results: A total of 2079 children were included in the study, with ages ranging from birth to 17 years. Included were 807 whites, 494 Hispanics, and 474 African Americans, in addition to Asian, unknown race, and mixed-race individuals. African American children had thinner corneas on average than that of both white and Hispanic children (P < .001 for both) by approximately 20 μm. Thicker median CCT was observed with each successive year of age from age 1 to 11 years, with year-to-year differences steadily decreasing and reaching a plateau after age 11 at 573 μm in white and Hispanic children and 551 μm in African American children. For every 100 μm of thicker CCT measured, the intraocular pressure was 1.5 mm Hg higher on average (P < .001). For every diopter of increased myopic refractive error, CCT was 1 μm thinner on average (P < .001).

Conclusions: Median CCT increases with age from 1 to 11 years, with the greatest increase present in the youngest age groups. African American children on average have thinner central corneas than white and Hispanic children, whereas white and Hispanic children demonstrate similar CCT.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors have no financial or conflicting interests in the subject of this report to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Central corneal thickness (CCT) for white and Hispanic subjects plotted by age with superimposed 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles. Median CCT was derived from a regression model of CCT as a function of age (x): CCT = 556.3 + 1.5x − 0.1(x − x̄)2, where x̄ = 7.7. Coefficient of determination (R2) for model is 0.03.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Central corneal thickness (CCT) for African-American subjects plotted by age with superimposed 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles. Median CCT was derived from a regression model of CCT as a function of age (x): CCT = 539.9 + 0.8x − 0.06(x − x̄)2, where x̄ = 9.5. Coefficient of determination (R2) for model is 0.006.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Central corneal thickness (CCT) by spherical equivalent. The average CCT was approximately 1 micrometer thinner for every 1.00 diopter lower spherical equivalent. Regression was adjusted for age, race, and gender. Partial coefficient of determination (R2) for spherical equivalent is 0.005.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Intraocular pressure by central corneal thickness. Regression was adjusted for age, race, gender, and exam setting. Partial coefficient of determination (R2) for CCT is 0.02.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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