Correlation of Sex and Myopia With Corneal Epithelial and Stromal Thicknesses.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To measure the corneal epithelial thickness (CET) and stromal thickness (ST) in normal subjects, and to also evaluate their correlation with gender, age, and myopia severity. METHODS: A total of 162 normal subjects were enrolled; they were divided into 3 groups based on their refractive status "low myopia" (-0.25 to -3.0 D), "moderate myopia" (-3.0 to -6.0 D), and "high myopia" (more than -6.0 D). The CET and total corneal thickness were obtained using optical coherence tomography, and the regional thicknesses and topographic variability were compared among the 3 myopia groups and between men and women. Furthermore, the correlation between the thickness measurements and gender, age, and refractive status was analyzed. RESULTS: The CET and ST of the central segment (2 mm in diameter) did not significantly differ between the 3 groups. In the paracentral and midperipheral zones (annuli 2-5 mm and 5-6 mm from the center), the CET in some areas, and the ST in most areas, differed significantly among the 3 groups. The CET values of men and women in the central segment were 54.6 ± 3.5 µm and 52.8 ± 3.5 µm, respectively (P = 0.003). Similar differences were observed in the paracentral and midperipheral zones. Multiple regression analysis suggested that the CET is related to gender, whereas the ST is associated with myopia severity. Age was not correlated with either the CET or ST. CONCLUSIONS: The CET is significantly greater in men than in women, and is not correlated with myopia severity, whereas the ST is inversely correlated with myopia severity, without significant gender difference.