Central Corneal Thickness as a Predictor of Visual Field Loss in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma for a Hispanic Population

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is a multi-factorial disease with a devastating impact on the quality of life of the patient in the moderate and severe stages of the disease. Identifying risk factors for the development of moderate to severe visual field loss may decrease the proportion of patients that experience the severe forms of this disease. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the central corneal thickness correlates inversely with the severity of visual field loss in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. METHODS: Retrospective review of 308 charts of patients seen during a six-week period by a glaucoma specialist in his community practice in a large Hispanic area. Patients were classified as normal, ocular hypertensive, and those with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. Odds ratios and 95% confidence interval were calculated to evaluate risk factors associated to ocular hypertension and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. Finally, a multivariate polytomous regression model was used to evaluate central corneal thickness as an independent predictor of outcome after adjustment for age and hypertension. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma show a statistically significant inverse correlation between central corneal thickness and the severity of the visual field damage. CONCLUSION: Thinner corneas could be considered a risk factor for the severity of visual field loss in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.