Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine / Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Acta Ophthalmol. 2022 Sep;100(6):e1298-e1305. doi: 10.1111/aos.15057. Epub 2021 Nov 10.
Changes in peripheral corneal thickness are described in various corneal diseases such as corneal ectasia. However, few data exist describing the increase in corneal thickness from central to peripheral and reporting the normal distribution of corneal thickness in rings around the corneal centre. The aim of this study was to report these cornea characteristics and investigate associated factors in a population-based setting.
The Gutenberg Health Study is a prospective, population-based study examining participants in a 5-year follow-up (age range 40-80 years) using Scheimpflug imaging. Corneal thickness was assessed in each participant at the apex, as well as in the corneal centre (thinnest corneal thickness) and in rings with 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm diameter around the corneal centre, and the increase in corneal thickness towards the periphery. The relationship between corneal thickness at these locations and possible associated factors was determined using linear regression models. For this purpose, general and ocular parameters were included.
A total of 9729 participants were included in the present analysis (4874 women, age 59.2 ± 10.8 years). Multivariable analysis showed a correlation between the increase in corneal thickness in the circles from 0 to 10 mm (diameter) and the following parameters: age (B = -0.24 µm per year, p < 0.001); body height (B = -0.04 µm, p = 0.005); smoking (B = -0.72 µm, p < 0.001); spherical equivalent (B = -0.70 µm per dioptre, p < 0.001); white-to-white distance (B = -0.75 µm/mm, p < 0.001); mean corneal radius (B = -3.61 µm/mm, p < 0.001); intraocular pressure (B = -0.12 µm/mmHg, p < 0.001); glaucoma (B = -1.94 µm, p < 0.001); and pseudophakia (B = 0.89 µm, p < 0.001).
The results of the present study suggest that several general and ocular parameters are associated with peripheral corneal thickness. In the context of diagnosing glaucoma, a smaller increase in corneal thickness towards the periphery might be a new additional marker.
各种角膜疾病，如角膜扩张，会导致周边角膜厚度发生变化。然而，目前关于角膜厚度从中部到周边的增加以及角膜中心周围各环角膜厚度的正常分布的数据很少。本研究的目的是报告这些角膜特征，并在人群中调查相关因素。
哥廷根健康研究是一项前瞻性、基于人群的研究，使用 Scheimpflug 成像对 5 年随访（年龄 40-80 岁）的参与者进行检查。在每个参与者的顶点、角膜中心（最薄的角膜厚度）以及角膜中心周围 2、4、6、8 和 10mm 直径的环中评估角膜厚度，并评估向周边增加的角膜厚度。使用线性回归模型确定这些位置的角膜厚度与可能的相关因素之间的关系。为此，纳入了一般和眼部参数。
本分析共纳入 9729 名参与者（4874 名女性，年龄 59.2±10.8 岁）。多变量分析显示，从 0 到 10mm（直径）的环中环状角膜厚度增加与以下参数相关：年龄（B=-0.24µm/年，p<0.001）；身高（B=-0.04µm，p=0.005）；吸烟（B=-0.72µm，p<0.001）；球镜等效（B=-0.70µm/屈光度，p<0.001）；白到白距离（B=-0.75µm/mm，p<0.001）；平均角膜半径（B=-3.61µm/mm，p<0.001）；眼内压（B=-0.12µm/mmHg，p<0.001）；青光眼（B=-1.94µm，p<0.001）；和白内障（B=0.89µm，p<0.001）。
本研究结果表明，一些一般和眼部参数与周边角膜厚度相关。在诊断青光眼时，角膜向周边的厚度增加较小可能是一个新的附加标志物。
