Central Corneal Thickness, Endothelial Characteristics and Intraocular Pressure in Congenital Cataract Extracted Eyes

To investigate central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell characteristics and intraocular pressure (IOP) in congenital cataract extracted eyes and to compare the results with eyes of normal age and sex matched controls.

CCT and IOP measurements and specular microscopy were performed in 31 eyes of 17 cases of extracted congenital cataracts and 40 eyes of 20 age and sex matched subjects as control group. Mean of three pachymetry measurements of the central cornea was taken as CCT. IOP was measured using an applanation tonometer.

Mean CCT was 632 ± 45 µm in cataract extracted eyes vs 546 ± 33 µm in the control eyes (P<0.001, independent t test and Mann Whitney test). There was no significant difference in cell count, coefficient of variation, and mean cell area of the corneal endothelial cells between the two groups. Mean IOP was 22.1 ± 3.9 mmHg in the cataract extracted eyes and 14.0 ± 1.6 mmHg in the control group (P<0.001, independent t test).

Although the cornea was clinically clear and there was no significant difference in endothelial characteristics of congenital cataract extracted eyes compared to normal controls, central corneal thickness in operated eyes was significantly greater than that of controls. To differentiate actual glaucoma from artifactual IOP increase, CCT measurement should strongly be considered in these patients.