Biometric Parameters Of The Italian Population:A Restrospective Multicentric Study
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: FP29.09 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/t9gz-rq60
Authors: Dr Antonella Galotta* 1 , Alessandro Ghirardi 1 , Clara Ricciardiello 1 , A/Prof. Stefano De Cillà 2 , A/Prof. Alessandro Rabiolo 2
1University of Western Piedmont,Novara,Italy, 2University of Western Piedmont,Novara,Italy;Ospedale Maggiore della Carità,Novara,Italy
Purpose
To investigate the biometric characteristics – axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and astigmatism (AST) – and the influence of demographic factors on them in a large sample of Italian patients undergoing cataract surgery.
Setting
Multicentric retrospective study including 53 Italian centers. Records of patients examined between January 1, 2015, and January 1, 2025, were reviewed.
Methods
Data collected included laterality (both eyes analyzed if available), AL, ACD, AST, age, sex, and geographic area (Northern, Central, and Southern Italy). Age reported as median and interquartile range (IQR), sex and geographic area as percentages. Distributions of AL, ACD, and AST (expressed in diopters [D]) accounting for inter-eye correlation estimated using linear mixed models with random intercept for patient. Multivariable linear mixed models with random intercept for patient used to assess the association of AL, ACD, and AST with age, sex, and geographic area (reference: Central Italy). Results reported as estimates (beta coefficient) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results
Preliminary results from 26 centers included 130,721 eyes of 74,880 patients with median age 71.7 years (IQR 60.5-80.1), 53.7% female, and 54.6% examined in Northern Italy. Parameter distributions as follows: AL 23.58 mm (22.95-24.39), ACD 3.24 mm (3.08–3.43), AST 0.83 D (0.65–1.07). AST >1 D present in 50.3% of patients, >2 D in 15.3%, and >3 D in 5.8%. Male sex associated with longer AL (beta 0.44, 95%CI 0.42; 0.47, p<0.001) and deeper ACD (beta 0.15, 95%CI 0.14; 0.16, p<0.001); Southern Italy with shorter AL (beta −0.36, 95%CI −0.41; −0.31, p<0.001) and higher AST (beta 0.16, 95% CI 0.13; 0.19, p<0.001); Northern Italy with shorter AL (beta −0.19, 95%CI −0.24; −0.14, p<0.001) and smaller ACD (beta −0.08, 95%CI −0.10; −0.07, p<0.001).
Conclusions
More than half of patients had at least 1 D of AST. Southern Italy was independently associated with higher AST. Considering the impact of AST on quality of life, a cost-effectiveness analysis of AST-correcting intraocular lenses during cataract surgery within national health systems is warranted.