Central corneal thickness in newborns and children.

Central corneal thickness was measured optically in premature and full-term babies and in children. The thickness was found to decrease from the values found in premature and full-term babies to those found in small children aged between 2-4 years. The thickness of the adult cornea is reached at the age of about 3 years. These findings are discussed with respect to the possible role of corneal thickness as a biometric parameter, to intraocular pressure measurement, and to corneal thickness steady state regulation.