Anterior Segment Biometry in a Caucasian Population with Cataracts

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate biometric factors of the anterior segment of phakic eyes with cataracts.

Methods

This population-based study included Caucasian patients with cataracts in the University Eye Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Biometric parameters were measured using the swept-source optical coherence tomography method. Patients were grouped into intermediate stages based on decades of life.

Results

In total, 6289 eyes of 3615 patients (age: 70.67 ± 8.42 years) were included. Age-related reductions in the anterior chamber depth (mean ± standard deviation) decreased from 3.26 ± 0.42 mm (group A: 55–59 years) to 2.94 ± 0.4 mm (group G: 85–89 years), and those in the axial length decreased from 24.37 ± 1.87 mm (group A) to 23.39 ± 1.07 mm (group G). Likewise, the white-to-white distance decreased from 12.12 ± 0.48 mm (group A) to 11.96 ± 0.47 mm (group G). Lens thickness tended to increase accordingly from 4.39 ± 0.36 µm (group A) to 4.9 ± 0.40 µm (group G). A comparison of the eyes showed no detectable lateral difference regarding the biometric parameters between the groups (axial length: p = 0.26, Rosenthal effect size = 0.03; lens thickness: p = 0.12, R = 0.03; anterior chamber depth: p = 0.63, Rosenthal effect size = 0.01). The axial length and anterior chamber depth differed significantly between sexes (r = 0.22, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.16, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multiple regression analysis of the anterior chamber depth as a function of biometry parameters as well as age and sex additionally indicated a positive correlation of anterior chamber depth with white-to-white distance (b = 0.32, p = 10⁻⁵), axial length (b = 0.10, p = 10⁻⁵), keratometry (b = 0.07, p = 10⁻⁵), and lens thickness (b=-0.05, p = 10⁻⁵) with a high effect size (Cohen f²=1.866, p = 10⁻⁵) and strong multiple correlation coefficient (Rosenthal effect size = 0.80, p = 10⁻⁵).

Conclusions

In the anterior segment, there are age- and sex-dependent changes in biometric parameters. In addition, changes in anterior chamber depth were noted in relation to white-to-white distance, axial length, keratometry, and lens thickness. These data should be considered in lens calculation formulas.

Keywords:

• Cataract surgery
• biometry
• white-to-white distance
• anterior chamber depth
• axial length

Acknowledgments

None

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Disclosure of financial and proprietary interests

Tschingis Arad, Awiszus Lucas, Hanns Ackermann, and Ingo Schmack: None.

Thomas Kohnen: Received research funding and was an advisor for Alcon, Novartis, Avedro, J&J, Lensgen, Oculentis, Oculus, Presbia, Schwind, Zeiss, Berater für Allergan, Bausch & Lomb, Dompé, Geuder, Med Update, Nevakar, Santen, Staar, Tear Lab, Thieme, and Ziemer.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, TA. The data are not publicly available because the information could compromise research participants’ privacy.