Variations in central corneal thickness during the menstrual cycle in women.

PURPOSE: We report changes in the central corneal thickness during various phases of the menstrual cycle. METHODS: We recruited 16 healthy women of reproductive age and measured the central corneal thickness at 3 points in their menstrual cycle, beginning on days 1 to 3 and again at ovulation and at the end of the cycle (days 27-32). Ovulation was determined with a test that determines the peak of luteinizing hormone in the urine. RESULTS: We found that the central cornea was thinnest at the beginning of the cycle (mean = 536 microm). Corneal thickness increased at ovulation (mean = 549 microm) and at the end of the cycle (mean = 559 microm). The difference in corneal thickness was statisti…