Intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness in an old French population: The MONTRACHET study

Abstract

Purpose To describe the distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) in an old French population. Methods 9294 individuals 65 years and older were included in the 3C cohort study since 1999 in 3 French cities (Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier). In Dijon, an additional ophthalmic examination was performed 10 years after the initial inclusions to assess the relation between systemic age‐related diseases and eye diseases in the MONTRACHET Study (Maculopathy Optic Nerve nuTRition neurovAsCular and HEarT diseases). In this population‐based study a thorough eye examination and a questionnaire were undertaken in each participant. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with a noncontact pneumotonometer and central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured with an ultrasound pachymeter. Results Among the 1153 participants of the MONTRACHET study only those without an ocular hypotensive treatment and those without evidence of glaucoma based on optic disc photography were considered. Among these individuals, 64% were female and the age was 82.2 ± 3.8 years. IOP in the right eye and the left eye was 14.6 ± 3.2 and 14.8 ± 3.2 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.06.IOP was lower in pseudophakic than in phakic participants 15.2 ± 3.2 and 15.4 ± 3.1 mmHg vs 13.9 ± 3.0 and 14.1 ± 3.1 mmHg for the right and the left eye, respectively, p < 0.01. CCT in the right eye and the left eye was 553.4 ± 34.4 μm and 555.7 ± 34.7 μm, respectively, p < 0.01. CCT was not influenced by the lens status and the refraction error. Conclusion These preliminary results of the MONTRACHET study shed a new light on the relations between IOP and and the lens status in the elderly.