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Br J Ophthalmol 2009;93:337-341 doi:10.1136/bjo.2008.137596
  • Clinical science
    • Original Article

Central corneal thickness in children with congenital cataract and children with surgical aphakia: a case-control study

  1. A P C Lupinacci1,
  2. M L da Silva Jordão1,
  3. G Massa1,
  4. C E L Arieta1,
  5. V P Costa1,2
  1. 1
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
  2. 2
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
  1. Dr A P C Lupinacci, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil, R. Mario de Andrade, 201 casa 43, Campo Grande, MS 79032-260, Brazil; alvaro.lupinacci{at}gmail.com
  • Accepted 3 November 2008
  • Published Online First 19 November 2008

Abstract

Aim: To measure the central corneal thickness (CCT) of children with congenital cataract and surgical aphakia.

Methods: Children with congenital cataract or surgical aphakia were prospectively recruited and divided into four groups: unilateral cataract (group 1, n = 14), bilateral cataract (group 2, n = 17), unilateral aphakia (group 3, n = 32) and bilateral aphakia (group 4, n = 44). An age-, sex-, and race-matched control group of normal individuals was selected. Ultrasonic pachymetry was performed by the same observer.

Results: The mean CCT of the control group was not significantly different from the normal (p = 0.747) and cataractous eyes of group 1 (p = 0.252). The mean CCTs of both eyes of group 2 were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.01). The mean CCT of the aphakic eyes in group 3 was significantly higher than the contralateral healthy eyes and control eyes (p<0.001). The mean CCTs of both eyes of group 4 were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001). The mean CCT was significantly higher in aphakic eyes of groups 3 and 4 than in cataractous eyes of groups 1 and 2 (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Aphakic eyes due to congenital cataract show thicker corneas than normal phakic eyes. Aphakic eyes after congenital cataract extraction show thicker corneas than eyes with congenital cataracts, suggesting that the increase in CCT occurs postoperatively.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: Ethics approval was provided by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the State University of Campinas.

  • Patient consent: Obtained from the parents.

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