Effect of Age and Gender on the Thickness of the Corneal Epithelium Measured With Spectral Domain Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography among Sample of Iraqi Population
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Corneal epithelial thickness profiles have brought increasing interest, as it can affect total corneal power and bring undesired refractive shifts and changes in a variety of corneal conditions.
Aim of Study: To measure the thickness of the corneal epithelium by using Spectral–domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography among a sample of Iraqi population and view the effects of age and gender.
Methodology: a cross-sectional observational study includes 402 eyes of 201 healthy individuals (93 men, 108 women), the corneal epithelial thickness in 25 sectors over a corneal diameter of 9 mm bilaterally via anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Patients with any ocular condition that could affect the epithelium thickness were excluded.
Results: The epithelial thickness steadily decreases with increasing age group. Corneal epithelium was significantly thicker in males in central area, as it was 50.95± 2 um in males compared to 49.81± 1.8 um in females. The inferior areas were thicker than superior ones; also, the temporal areas were thicker that nasal.
Conclusion: The corneal epithelial thickness became thinner with age and gender differences should be considered in the assessment of corneal epithelial thickness.