Central corneal pachymetry in yemeni patients undergoing refractive surgery

Poster Details

First Author: M.Bamashmus YEMEN

Co Author(s):    M. Saleh   A. Mousa           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report the preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements on patients with myopia presenting for refractive surgery.

Setting:

This retrospective observational study was carried out on 2,304 patients from 18 to 50 years of age with myopia between 2006 and 2008 undergoing preoperative examination for refractive surgery.

Methods:

The thickness of the central cornea in both eyes of each patient was measured by means of ultrasound pachymetry and data of right eye were selected for analysis.

Results:

Women were 1248 (54.2%) and the mean age of the patients was 26.74 (range 18 - 50). The average CCT in the subjects studied was 522.08 µm with a standard deviation (SD) of 31.85 and (range 430 to 643) µm. There was no significant difference between the right and left CCT values (p=0.38). There was (no significant difference) between male and female CCT (p=0.567).

Conclusions:

This study shows that Yemeni patients have thinner central corneal pachymetry compared to other populations and refractive surgeons should be careful in choosing the suitable refractive procedures. The available cornea for ablation in LASIK is very limited and possible alternative treatments namely PRK and phakic intraocular lens options should be discussed. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No