Corneal curvature and central corneal thickness in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported different central corneal thickness (CCT) values in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS). There has been no report about corneal curvature (CC) in PXS eyes. The aim of this study was to investigate the CCT together with the CC in PXS eyes with and without glaucoma. METHODS: The CC (simulated keratometry 1 [SimK1], SimK2, and mean K) and CCT were prospectively studied by rotating a Scheimpflug camera in 72 PXS eyes and comparing them with 65 normal eyes. RESULTS: In all PXS eyes, the mean K was significantly steeper than in control eyes (44.1 [SD 1.5] diopters (D) vs. 43.2 [SD 2.0] D, p = 0.04). When PXS eyes were subcategorized, the mean K was significantly steeper in both normotensive PXS eyes (44.6 [SD 1.6] D) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) eyes (44.0 [SD 1.2] D) than normal eyes (43.2 [SD 2.0] D) (p = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). In all PXS eyes, the mean CCT (546.4 [SD 39.6] microm) was not significantly different than the control eyes (542.9 [SD 32.2] microm) (p = 0.56). When PXS eyes were subcategorized, however, the CCT was significantly thinner in normotensive PXS eyes and significantly thicker in PEXG eyes. INTERPRETATION: It appears that PEXG eyes have a significantly steeper CC and higher CCT than normal eyes. This could be of clinical significance because overestimation of true intraocular pressure may then occur in these eyes.