Purpose: To evaluate the distribution of the central corneal thickness (CCT) and its relationship with the intraocular pressure (IOP) in a group of patients and to demonstrate the usefulness of the pachymeter to evaluate IOP in selected cases. Methods: The central cornea thickness of 167 patients over 40 years old (319 eyes) was determined using ultrasonic pachymetry. The intraocular pressure was measured by the "Goldmann" applanation tonometer.Results: The CCT average of the 319 eyes was 0.5173 + 0.0377mm, the maximum value being 0.656mm and the minimum value 0.430mm. The IOP average was 16.44 + 3.88 mmHg; the maximum pressure 30 mmHg and the mini-mum pressure 8 mmHg. A linear regression of 0.13677 of the analyzed variables (p=0.0145) was observed, with no difference between sex and age. The observations were divided in to two groups: group I -- IOP £ 21 mmHg -- with 285 eyes which presented a CCT average of 0.517 + 0.0376 mm; and group II -- IOP > 21 mmHg -- with 34 eyes which presented a CCT average of 0.519 + 0.0393 mm. Conclusion: A linear regression between IOP and CCT was observed, meaning that the higher the CCT the higher the IOP will be. The usefulness of corneal pachymetry for IOP evaluation was shown in those patients where it was falsely increased or decreased on applanation tonometry, directing therapy towards patients really with glaucoma.
Intraocular pressure; Central corneal thickness
