Normative corneal biometric parameters in African populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ngozika N Ezinne¹, Samuel Kyei², Chukwuemeka Junior Obinwanne³, Tuwani A Rasengane⁴, Khathutshelo Percy Mashige⁵, Kingsley E Agho⁶, Randy Asiamah⁷, Bernadine N Ekpenyong⁸, Stephen Ocansey⁹, Antor O Ndep¹⁰, Sylvester Kyeremeh¹¹, Godwin Ovenseri-Ogbomo¹², Edgar Ekure¹³, Kelechi C Ogbuehi¹⁴, Kovin Shunmugan Naidoo¹⁵, Nalova Westbrook¹⁶, Haile Waretow¹⁷, Kofi Asiedu¹⁸, Uchechukwu L Osuagwu¹⁹; All a u t h o r s are members of the Centre for Eyecare Public Health Intervention Initiative CEPHII

Affiliations

¹ Bathurst Rural Clinical School (BRCS), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia; Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Science, University of the West Indies Saint Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.
² School of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. Electronic address: skyei@ucc.edu.gh.
³ Cornea, Contact Lens, and Myopia Control Unit, De Lens Ophthalmics Family Eye and Vision Care Center, Suite G14, Febson Mall, Plot 2425, Hebert Macaulay Way, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Optometry, University of the Free State and Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
⁵ African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa. Electronic address: mashigek@ukzn.ac.za.
⁶ African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa; School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia. Electronic address: k.agho@westernsydney.edu.au.
⁷ Department of Ophthalmic Science, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Department of Clinical Optometry, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
⁸ Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Electronic address: bekpenyong@unical.edu.ng.
⁹ School of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. Electronic address: socansey2@ucc.edu.gh.
¹⁰ Health Education & Health Promotion Unit, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
¹¹ Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, KNUST, Ghana. Electronic address: sylvester.kyeremeh@knust.edu.gh.
¹² Department of Optometry, Centre for Health Sciences, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK. Electronic address: godwin.ovenseri-ogbomo@uhi.ac.uk.
¹³ Eyecare Center of Camden, New York 13316 USA.
¹⁴ Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand. Electronic address: kelechi.ogbuehi@otago.ac.nz.
¹⁵ African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁶ The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Old Main University Park, PA 16802, USA.
¹⁷ Department of Optometry, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
¹⁸ College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: kasiedu@central.edu.uh.
¹⁹ Bathurst Rural Clinical School (BRCS), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia; African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa. Electronic address: l.osuagwu@westernsydney.edu.au.

PMID: 40140266
DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2025.102412

Free article

Meta-Analysis

Normative corneal biometric parameters in African populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Ngozika N Ezinne et al. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2025 Jul.

Free article

. 2025 Jul;48(4):102412.

doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2025.102412. Epub 2025 Mar 25.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Bathurst Rural Clinical School (BRCS), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia; Optometry Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Science, University of the West Indies Saint Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.
² School of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. Electronic address: skyei@ucc.edu.gh.
³ Cornea, Contact Lens, and Myopia Control Unit, De Lens Ophthalmics Family Eye and Vision Care Center, Suite G14, Febson Mall, Plot 2425, Hebert Macaulay Way, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Optometry, University of the Free State and Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
⁵ African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa. Electronic address: mashigek@ukzn.ac.za.
⁶ African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa; School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia. Electronic address: k.agho@westernsydney.edu.au.
⁷ Department of Ophthalmic Science, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Department of Clinical Optometry, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
⁸ Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Electronic address: bekpenyong@unical.edu.ng.
⁹ School of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. Electronic address: socansey2@ucc.edu.gh.
¹⁰ Health Education & Health Promotion Unit, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
¹¹ Department of Optometry and Visual Science, College of Science, KNUST, Ghana. Electronic address: sylvester.kyeremeh@knust.edu.gh.
¹² Department of Optometry, Centre for Health Sciences, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK. Electronic address: godwin.ovenseri-ogbomo@uhi.ac.uk.
¹³ Eyecare Center of Camden, New York 13316 USA.
¹⁴ Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand. Electronic address: kelechi.ogbuehi@otago.ac.nz.
¹⁵ African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁶ The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Old Main University Park, PA 16802, USA.
¹⁷ Department of Optometry, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
¹⁸ College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: kasiedu@central.edu.uh.
¹⁹ Bathurst Rural Clinical School (BRCS), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia; African Vision Research Institute, Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 3629, South Africa. Electronic address: l.osuagwu@westernsydney.edu.au.

PMID: 40140266
DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2025.102412

Abstract

Background: Despite the importance of corneal biometric parameters in ophthalmology, there is limited comprehensive data on these measurements in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations. This study systematically reviewed the evidence on corneal biometric parameters of Sub-Saharan African populations, focusing on their variability, influencing factors, and implications for clinical practice and public health interventions.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies published between January 2003 and December 2023 were identified through comprehensive searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with a specific focus on African populations. Inclusion criteria comprised non-interventional studies reporting central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal curvature, radius of curvature, or horizontal corneal diameter (HCD) of eyes of continental Africans. Data were synthesized using random-effects meta-analyses, with heterogeneity assessed using the I² statistic. Subgroup analyses examined variations by geographic region, measurement instrument, and sex.

Results: Twenty-eight studies with a total of 14,009 participants were included. The pooled mean CCT was 553.35 µm (95 % CI: 548.52-558.18 µm), with regional variations ranging from 555.66 µm in West Africa to 510.17 µm in Southern Africa. Males exhibited slightly higher CCT values compared to females (539.11 µm vs. 533.78 µm). Additional parameters assessed included mean corneal curvature (43.07 D), radius of curvature (7.70 mm), and HCD (11.59 mm). Variability in the measurements was attributed to demographic, geographic, and methodological factors.

Conclusions: Corneal biometric parameters exhibit substantial regional and demographic variability in SSA. These findings underscore the importance of population-specific data in enhancing diagnostic precision and guiding the development of regionally tailored clinical protocols. Further research is needed to address current knowledge gaps and improve eye care outcomes across the African continent.

Funding: This research received no specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Keywords: African populations; Central corneal thickness; Corneal curvature; Global eye health; Meta-analysis; Sub-Saharan Africa; Systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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Normative corneal biometric parameters in African populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Affiliations

Normative corneal biometric parameters in African populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Research Materials