Cornea guttata more prevalent in women, smokers

People who have smoked for more than 20 pack-years have a more than twofold increase of developing cornea guttata than those who never smoked, according to one study. In addition, women have a higher prevalence of the disease than men, researchers of a large population-based study found.

Fridbert Jonasson, MD, and colleagues at the University of Iceland analyzed data from 774 participants in the Reykjavik Eye Study who were undergoing a second ophthalmic exam. To analyze the prevalence rates of cornea guttata, the researchers used slit lamp and non-contact specular microscopy and endothelial specular photography, as well as computer-assisted morphometry. All participants were at least 55 years old at initial baseline. Men were between 55 and 92 years old, and women were between 55 and 100 years old, researchers said.

Of the male participants, 24 eyes were identified with cornea guttata; 315 did not have cornea guttata. Of the women, 47 eyes were identified with cornea guttata; 384 were not. Women had an 11% prevalence for developing cornea guttata; men had a 7% prevalence rate. The difference was not statistically significant.

Lower weight levels were significantly associated with cornea guttata, as was a lower body mass index, according to the authors.

Cigarette smoking was associated with the disease, and reached a statistically significant level after 20 years of smoking one pack of cigarettes per day, or half a pack a day for 40 years, they said.

The researchers said this study is the first of its kind where specular microscopy was used for diagnosis of cornea guttata in white people at least 55 years old.

The study is published in the April issue of Ophthalmology.