Dry Eyes and Central Corneal Thickness

Abstract

Aim: To study the effect of dry eye on Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) by comparing CCT of normal persons with CCT of dry eye patients.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Duration and Settings of the study: Eye department of Mayo Hospital Lahore from October 2023 to December 2023.

Methods: This research was approved by the ethical review board of the College of Ophthalmology and Allied Health Vision Sciences (ERB reference no.  1472/ 23). A performa-based cross-sectional study was performed in eye OPD of Mayo Hospital Lahore from October 2023 to December 2023. The sample size was calculated by formula where the level of significance (α) is 5%, standard deviation (σ) 30.9, and test value of the population mean (µ_o) 540. Using a non-probability convenient sampling method total sample size was 77 patients. We performed this research on 80 patients. This sample is divided into two groups 23 are of non-dry eye disease patients and 57 were of dry eye patients. Patients with dry eyes were added to this study while those having a history of diabetes, uveitis, glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure, ptosis, eyelid disorders, corneal diseases, any eye surgery, including surgery on the lids, and contact lens wearers were not included in our study. CCT was measured using ultrasonic pachymetry. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 Mann Whitney statistics were used for the significance of the study.

Results: Patients with dry eye disease had significantly lower CCT compared to the normal group (P < 0.001). Its mean was 543.74 and 462.19 micron in the right eye respectively and 539.65 and 466.78 micron in the left eye respectively.

Conclusion: In the dry eyes, there was a noticeable decrease in the corneal thickness of the central cornea.