Ocular biometric parameters are associated with non-contact tonometry measured intraocular pressure in non-pathologic myopic patients

Purposes This research aimed to investigate effects and risk factors on non-contact tonometer (NCT) readings in healthy myopic subjects by employing cross-sectional study design. Methods Totally, sixty otherwise healthy myopic volunteers (mean 28.4 years old) with 90% female were recruited in ophthalmic clinic. The routine ophthalmic tests, refractive evaluation, examination central corneal thickness (CCT), depth of anterior chamber, axial length, corneal curvature, white-to-white and NCT were assessed at baseline. The linear-mixed model was utilized to evaluate correlation between the readings and ocular biometric parameters. Results For population in this study, mean spherical equivalents were − 4.85 ± 1.79 diopters in right eyes and − 4.63 ± 1.95 diopters in left eyes. Meanwhile, 28.3% of the eyes had a refractive error exceeding − 6.0 diopters. The mean NCT reading was 15.02 ± 3.02 mmHg in left eyes and 15.33 ± 2.96 mmHg in right eyes. Among the factors analyzed, CCT was the most significant parameter associated with NCT readings. After adjusting for the other factors, per one standard deviation increase of central corneal thickness (36.11 μm) was associated a 1.14 (95% confidence interval 0.53–1.77) mmHg elevated NCT reading. The average central corneal curvature, age and spherical equivalence were also significantly and independently associated with NCT readings. Conclusions Central corneal thickness, age, corneal curvature and degree of myopia were independently associated with NCT measured intraocular pressure. Central corneal thickness is one of the most influential factors.