Assessment of Intraocular Pressure, Central Corneal Thickness and Corneal Diameter in Patients with Downs Syndrome

This research was designed as a case-control study for the assessment of intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal diameter (CD) in Down syndrome persons. The intraocular pressure, central cornea thickness and cornea diameter of 46 Down syndrome persons (26 males and 20 females) and 46 persons in a control group (22 males and 24 females) from a similar ethnic background were enrolled in the study. Intraocular pressure, Central corneal thickness and Corneal diameter were measured using puff air tonometer, ultrasound pachymeter and Keratometer respectively. The mean age of the persons with Down syndrome was 24.26 ± 4.449 (male = 24.08 ± 4.489 and female = 24.50 ± 4.501) and the mean age of control subjects was 24.91 ± 4.671 (male = 24.95 ± 4.726 and female = 24.88 ± 4.721). The mean values for IOP, CCT and CD in Down syndrome persons was 13.83 ± 3.735, 478.34 ± 23.268, 10.4128 ± 0.62120 while the mean value for IOP, CCT and CD in control subjects was 14.50 ± 3.358, 545.74 ± 17.343, 11.7043 ± 0.10532 respectively. From SPSS version 23 data output, data analysis using the Independent Sample T test at 0.05 level of significance and 95% confidence interval revealed for IOP a P value of 0.567. Since P (0.567) >0.05, the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) of people with Down Syndrome and a control group are the same. For CCT it revealed a P value of 0.001. Since P (0.001) <0.05, the Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) of people with Down Syndrome and a control group are not the same. For CD it revealed a P value of 0.001. Since P (0.000) <0.05, the Corneal Diameter (CD) of people with Down Syndrome and a control group are not the same. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that individuals living with Down Syndrome had decreased Central Corneal Thickness and Corneal Diameter but the Intraocular Pressure was the same, when compared with normal individuals. It is therefore recommended that the Eye Doctors should note this while examining patients with Down Syndrome.