Distribution and Factors Associated With Central Corneal Thickness in Malays: The Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES)

Abstract

Purpose:: To describe the distribution and correlation of central cornea thickness (CCT) in Malay adults in Singapore

Methods:: A population-based, cross-sectional study of 3,280 (78.7% response rate) Malay persons aged 40-80 years residing in the south-western part of Singapore was conducted in 2004-6. Participants had a standardized interview, examination, ocular imaging, laboratory tests at a centralized clinic. CCT measurements were performed with an ultrasound pachymeter.

Results:: CCT was recorded for 3240 right eyes and for 3233 left eyes. CCT was normally distributed with mean of 541.3 µm (95% confidence interval [CI], 540.1 to 542.4) in right eyes and mean of 540.6 µm (95% CI, 539.4 to 541.4) in left eyes. CCT decreased with increasing age (547.7 in 40-49 years, 543.5 in 50-59 years, 540.2 in 60-69 years, and 532.3 in 70-80 years, P<0.001) but was not associated with gender. After controlling for age and gender, CCT was significantly and positive correlated with higher intraocular pressure (Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.19, P<0.001), axial length (0.05, P=0.007), weight (0.06, P=0.001), and serum glucose (0.06, P=0.001) and glycosylated hemoglobin (0.07, P<0.001) levels. After controlling for age and gender, CCT was not associated with spherical equivalent refraction, anterior chamber depth, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and height.

Conclusions:: In Malay adults, CCT decreased with age and was associated with higher intraocular pressure and hyperglycemia.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • cornea: clinical science • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications