Distribution of central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in emmetropic eyes of healthy children of Palestine: a representative cross-sectional study

AIM: To determine the distributions of central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in emmetropic eyes of healthy children of Palestine. METHODS: This representative cross sectional study included a total of 1156 eyes from 578 healthy school children aged 7-15y. Inclusion criteria included emmetropia, no previous history of ocular or systemic diseases, no previous history of contact lens use, and the availability of both eyes. CCT and IOP were measured using ultrasound pachymeter and Goldmann applanation tonometer, respectively. The relationship of the results with age and gender was investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of school children was 11.13 +/- 2.8y. Mean CCT was 542.2 +/- 37.4 and 544.3 +/- 39.2 mu m for right and left eyes, respectively. Mean IOP was 12.5 +/- 2.2 and 12.3 +/- 2.2 mm Hg for right and left eyes, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between CCT and IOP of the right eye (P<0.001, R=0.358) and CCT and IOP of the left eye (P<0.001, R=0.324). No significant differences were observed in CCT and IOP due to age or gender (P>0.05). There were significant differences in mean CCT and IOP between right and left eyes (P=0.004, P=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: A population profile of CCT and IOP is established in Palestinian children for the first time. Mean CCT is comparable to some studies but differ from others. Mean IOP is considerably lower than that of majority children of other ethnic groups. Intereye difference of more than 36 mu m in CCT, and 5 mm Hg in IOP should prompt evaluation for potential ocular disorders.