Abstract
Purpose::
We set out to confirm if the relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) matched previous findings in a population based epidemiologic study conducted in Brooklyn, New York.
Methods::
274 eyes of 369 participants from 13 community health fairs in Brooklyn, NY participated in our glaucoma screening project (January to October 2006). Volunteers filled out questionnaires that assessed various demographic data and self-reported glaucoma risk factors. Any participants currently on IOP lowering medications or any participants with a history of prior glaucoma surgery were excluded from the study. The participants also underwent a C20-1 frequency doubling technology visual field test, IOP measurements using tonopens, and CCT using corneal pachymeters.
Results::
Of the 369 participants, a majority (62%) were of African-American decent. The average age was 54 years old (range: 21 - 99). We found the average CCT and average IOP in our population were 541 and 17 respectively. In corroboration with previous studies, we found a linear relationship between central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure. Using Pearson’s statistical analysis, we found that thicker pachymetry readings were associated with increased intraocular pressures (r = 0.185, p = 0.002).
Conclusions::
The present study revealed a statistically significant correlation between thicker corneal pachymetry readings and intraocular pressures in a largely African-American population in Brooklyn, NY.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence