ESCRS - PO945 - Defining The Limits Of Upper And Lower Conjunctival Fornix Depths In A Healthy Asian Chinese Population

Defining The Limits Of Upper And Lower Conjunctival Fornix Depths In A Healthy Asian Chinese Population

Published 2024 - 42nd Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO945 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/bkaf-kd46

Authors: See Teng Tan* 1 , Jodhbir S Mehta 2 , Saaeha Rauz 3 , Matthew Davidson 4 , Hon Shing Ong 2

1Ophthalmology,Singapore National Eye Centre ,Singapore,Singapore, 2Corneal and External Diseases / Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell,Singapore National Eye Centre / Singapore Eye Research Institute,Singapore,Singapore, 3Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing,University of Birmingham; Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust,Birmingham,United Kingdom, 4Ophthalmology,Singapore Eye Research Institute,Singapore,Singapore

Purpose

The early detection of conjunctival fornix shortening is essential for effectively managing progressive cicatrizing conjunctival diseases. Establishing a baseline reference for conjunctival scarring by determining the normative conjunctival fornix depth (FD) allows for the measurement and monitoring of changes in the conjunctiva. This study aims to explore anatomical variations in conjunctival fornix depth among the Asian Chinese population residing in Singapore, providing valuable insights into quantifying conjunctival fibrosis and monitoring the progression of forniceal shrinkage.

Setting

This retrospective observational study was conducted at a single centre. 295 Chinese individuals with normal conjunctiva who visited the cornea ocular surface clinic between 2019 and 2023 were included. A total of 590 eyes were evaluated.

Methods

The lower and upper FDs were assessed using a validated fornix depth measurer (FDM). Mean lower and upper FDs were calculated and stratified by age, decade, and gender.

Results

The mean upper and lower conjunctival FDs for the Chinese population in Singapore were 16.1 mm ± 1.6 (95% CI, 16.0-16.2) and 10.2 mm ± 1.7 (95% CI, 10.0-10.3), respectively. Females exhibited shallower FDs (upper 15.7 mm±1.5; lower 9.8 mm±1.5) compared to males (upper 16.6 mm ±1.5; lower 10.6 mm ±1.9) (P<0.001). The results demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between age and fornix depth, indicating that FD decreases with advancing age (P<0.001). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a practical tool for diagnosing and prognosticating cicatrising conjunctival diseases based on the correlation between age and fornix depth.

Conclusions

This study adds to available literature a set of normative data for upper and lower fornix depth in a Chinese population, highlighting gender-related variations and age-related progressive conjunctival shrinkage. The established dataset serves as a valuable resource for clinicians, enabling them to better manage and monitor patients with conjunctival diseases.