Abstract
Purpose:
Long anterior zonules (LAZ) are characterized by zonular fibers that extend more central than usual on the anterior lens capsule. One variety occurs with genetic mutation and late-onset macular degeneration, and another type, that has unknown etiology, is associated with age >50 years, female gender, hyperopia, shorter axial length, and remnants of the tunica vasculosa lentis. LAZ can cause a unique type of pigment dispersion and are being studied as a potential risk factor for open and narrow angle glaucoma. There is also interest in LAZ relative to cataract surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess potential health and lifestyle associations with LAZ.
Methods:
Patients presenting to an urban academic eye care facility in Chicago, IL were examined for LAZ, and questionnaires were administered to collect health and lifestyle information including education level, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, body mass index, alcohol use, smoking, and drug use. Regression analyses were conducted to evaluate potential relationships with LAZ.
Results:
There were 1,920 subjects (63% female, 84% African-American) with a mean age (SD) = 54.2 yrs +/- 16.3 yrs (18-95 yrs). While controlling for strong independent associations with age (P<0.0001) and female gender (OR=2.7, P<0.01), relationships persisted with ocular parameters including hyperopic refractive error (P<0.01) and presence of pupillary membrane remnants (OR=3.3, P<0.0001), but associations were not detected with the non-ocular variables studied (P>0.25) except for hypertension which was marginally statistically significant (OR=1.8, P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Although this analysis further substantiates strong associations between long zonules and age, female gender, hyperopia, and tunica vasculosa lentis remnants, detectable associations were not present with the lifestyle and health parameters that were studied. The analysis did however, suggest potential association with hypertension.