Central Corneal Thickness and Systemic Hypertension: The Colombian Glaucoma study.

Abstract Objective : To determine the association between Systemic Hypertension and Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) in patients diagnosed with Systemic Hypertension (SH) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in six Colombian cities. Methods : Patients with SH and DM in Colombia were studied in cross-sectional research. 2,067 people over 50 diagnosed with either SH or DM at the time of the study were included. Complete eye examinations included IOP measurement by Goldmann tonometry, and Central Corneal Thickness measurements. Results : Among the 2067 participants, 1974 had Central Corneal Thickness measurement. CCT was normally distributed in this population, with a mean of 538.91 microns. A statistical difference in mean CCT between males (542.4 microns) and females (536.9 microns) (P< 0.001) was observed. Patients with SH had a statistical difference in CCT ( 537.98 microns ) compared with patients without SH ( 546.57 ) p <0.001. In multiple linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, IOP, and Body Mass Index, subjects with SH had central corneas 7.58 microns thinner than those without SH. Conclusions : In this program-based study, we observed a strong correlation between Central Corneal Thickness and Systemic Hypertension. Considering the thinner corneas of these patients in terms of the glaucoma approach is essential.