Correlation of Myopia Degree with Central Corneal Thickness and Corneal Endothelial Density

Introduction: The anterior segment characteristics that may contribute to myopia are central corneal thickness and corneal endothelial cell density. The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether corneal endothelial density and central corneal thickness are associated with the degree of myopia. Methods: This cross-sectional observational analytical study was conducted from October to November 2018 at the Hasanuddin University Hospital in Makassar, Indonesia. Levior myopia (< -3.00 D) 61 eyes, moderate myopia (-3.00 D - -6.00 D) 30 eyes, and gravior myopia (> 6.00 D) 11 eyes comprised the 102 eyes of 65 myopic patients who participated in the study. The Snellen chart projector and trial lens set are used to test the refractive state of myopia. In contrast, the Nidek-CEM 530 specular microscope is used to measure the central corneal thickness and corneal endothelial cell density. Results: The high myopia group had the lowest CCT mean (521.3um; p: 0.199). The group with high myopia had the lowest mean ECD, 2777.6 (p<0.05). In cases of moderate myopia, a correlation between corneal ECD and CCT was found (p<0.05). Conclusion: The degrees of myopia and the CCT do not correlate. Reductions in corneal ECD are associated with myopia gravior. In moderate myopia, there is a strong positive relationship between corneal endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness.