DISTRIBUTION OF THE ANTERIOR CHAMBER DEPTH, ANTERIOR CHAMBER ANGLE, ANTERIOR CHAMBER VOLUME AND PACHYMETRY DATA IN HEALTHY PATIENT EYES

The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the distribution of different parameters of the anterior segment in healthy eyes.

Department of Ophthalmology at the Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany; I.R.C.C.S.-G.B. Bietti Foundation, Rome, Italy; QVision Vithas Hospital Almería, Almería, Spain

In this retrospective study 1086 phakic eyes without any known pathology or refractive surgery were measured with the Pantacam AXL Wave. Only measurement with good quality were included. The external anterior chamber depth (ACDext), internal anterior chamber depth (ACDint), anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), the Pachymetry of the Apex (PachyA) Pachymetry at the thinnest location (PachyT) and their difference (PachyD) were analyzed. Mean values and standard deviations (SD) were calculated and all parameters were analyzed for correlation with age, spherical equivalent (SEQ) and gender. Simple correlation analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression model was assumed. T-test was used to detect statistically significant differences between gender.

ACDext had a mean value of 3.40 (±0.43)mm; ACDint a mean value of 2.86 (±0.43)mm. There were statistically significant differences between gender in both values with females having smaller anterior chambers. A strong negative correlation of internal and external anterior chamber depth with age and moderate negative correlation with spherical equivalent can be observed.

Mean value of ACA was 34.79 (± 7.46)°. Differences of ACA between the two genders were statistically significant (p=0.0412). A strong negative correlation with age (R=-0.62) and a moderate negative correlation (R=-0.36) with spherical equivalent can be observed.

ACV has a mean value of 156.75 (±43.09) mm³. Women have statistically significant smaller amounts of ACV. There is a strong negative correlation with age (R=-0.58) and a moderate negative correlation with SEQ (R=-0.42).

As pachymetry values pachymetry minimum (PachyMin), pachymetry apex (PachyA) and their difference (PachyDiff) were analysed.

Mean PachyA was 541.34 (±34.00) μm with no statistically significant difference between f and m. There was no correlation with age and a very weak one with SEQ.

Mean PachyMin was 536.51 (±34.01) μm with no statistically significant difference between f and m. There was no correlation with age or SEQ.

PachyD showed statistically significant different mean values between m (5.17μm) and f (4.59μm); the total mean value was 4.83 (±2.94) μm. It showed a weak positive correlation with age and SEQ.

 

This data implements normative patient data for important anatomical parameters and their correlation with gender, SEQ and age of the anterior eye segment measured with the Scheimpflug-device Pentacam AXL Wave.