Corneal Thickness and Functional Damage in Patients with Ocular Hypertension

Purpose To correlate functional damage over time detected by standard automated perimetry (SAP) and frequency doubling technology (FDT) with central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods Seventy-eight OHT patients underwent CCT measurements, SAP, and FDT (the latter two also after 12 and 18 months). Patients were divided into three equally sized groups of 26 patients each: thin (<540 üm), normal (540–580 üm), and thick cornea (>580 üm). The frequency of abnormal FDT and SAP results was analyzed over time (Pearson χ2 test). Results Six of 26 patients with thin corneas (23.1%) presented an abnormal FDT test at baseline, compared to 1 of 26 (3.8%) in the normal thickness cornea group and 1 of 26 (3.8%) in the thick cornea group. After 12 months, the abnormal FDT tests were as follows, respectively: 9 of 26 (34.6%), 2 of 26 (7.7%), and 2 of 26 (7.7%). For SAP the abnormal results were as follows, respectively: 8 (30.1%), 5 (19.2%), and 2 (7.7%). After 18 months, the abnormal FDT tests were as follows, respectively: 16 (61.5%), 5 (19.2%), and 5 (19.2%). For SAP, the abnormal results were as follows, respectively: 10 (38.5%), 5 (19.2%), and 2 (7.7%). Conclusions OHT patients with thinner corneas have a greater risk of developing functional damage over time.