In the single individual the central corneal thickness (CCT) shows only small variations. Therefore CCT has been studied in a number of corneal diseases in order to investigate if this dimension might contribute to the diagnosis or to the understanding of the pathogenesis. Normal CCT was found in hereditary dystrophies with the exception of the macular dystrophy of Groenouw (type II), which showed a significantly reduced thickness. Reduced CCT was found in chronic degenerations of leutic, tuberculous or indefinite nature. Marginal degenerations of Fuchs-Terrien type also showed reduced CCT. The possible role of abiotrophic processes in this corneal thinning is dicussed. Endothelial dysfunction is indicated by increased CCT. This occurs in bullous keratopathy and in many acute disorders. Vascularisation of the cornea does not preclude the occurrence of normal or even reduced thickness.