Genetic Covariance Between Central Corneal Thickness and Anterior Chamber Volume: A Hungarian Twin Study

Abstract

Background: Few, and inconsistent, studies have showed high heritability of some parameters of the anterior segment of the eye; however, no heritability of anterior chamber volume (ACV) has been reported, and no study has been performed to investigate the correlation between the ACV and central corneal thickness (CCT). Methods: Anterior segment measurements (Pentacam, Oculus) were obtained from 220 eyes of 110 adult Hungarian twins (41 monozygotic and 14 same-sex dizygotic pairs; 80% women; age 48.6 ± 15.5 years) obtained from the Hungarian Twin Registry. Results: Age-and sex-adjusted heritability of ACV was 85% (bootstrapped 95% confidence interval; CI: 69% to 93%), and 88% for CCT (CI: 79% to 95%). Common environmental effects had no influence, and unshared environmental factors were responsible for 12% and 15% of the variance, respectively. The correlation between ACV and CCT was negative and significant (r ph = -0.35, p < .05), and genetic factors accounted for the covariance significantly (0.934; CI: 0.418, 1.061) based on the bivariate Cholesky decomposition model. Conclusion: These findings support the high heritability of ACV and central corneal thickness, and a strong genetic covariance between them, which underscores the importance of identification of the specific genetic factors and the family risk-based screening of disorders related to these variables, such as open-angle and also angle closure glaucoma and corneal endothelial alterations.

The thick and thin of the central corneal thickness in glaucoma

“…The CCT phenotype is a highly heritable trait based on twin studies [65][66][67]. There is, however, no single genetic determination for CCT [68].…”

Central and Eastern European Special Issue

“…Next is Hegedűs et al's (2014) sociological assessment of what advantages being a twin brings, followed by Molnár et al's (2014) case study of multiple valve disease found in triplets. Finally, Oniszczenko and Dragan's (2014) review of twin research in Poland is followed by an original article by Toth et al (2014), assessing the genetic covariance between central corneal thickness and anterior chamber volume. The special issue is concluded by Vlckova et al's (2014) gene expression study highlighting that the most modern forms of twin research are present in the region and conducted to the highest standards.…”