Comparison of Central Corneal Thickness Measurements Using Specular Microscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Central corneal thickness (CCT) is an essential ocular biometric parameter used to assess the risk for glaucoma, cataract surgery outcomes, and the management of corneal diseases. Two commonly used techniques for measuring CCT are specular microscopy (SM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). This study compares CCT measurements obtained using SM and OCT in healthy individuals to evaluate the accuracy, reproducibility, and concordance between these two methods. A total of 100 healthy participants were included in the study, and CCT was measured using both SM (Noncon Robo Pachy, Nidek) and OCT (Cirrus OCT, Zeiss). The results demonstrated that the average CCT values obtained by SM and OCT were comparable, with a mean difference of 4.2 microns, which was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.96, suggesting a high degree of agreement. The study further highlighted that OCT measurements showed slightly higher CCT values than those obtained by SM. This study concludes that OCT and SM are both reliable and accurate methods for measuring CCT, with OCT offering a non-contact and more versatile imaging technique that may provide additional clinical benefits.

Keywords: Central corneal thickness, Specular microscopy, Optical coherence tomography, Ocular biometrics, Glaucoma, Corneal measurement.