Abstract
Purpose: :
To utilize Scanning Peripheral Anterior Chamber Depth Analyzer (SPAC) for analyzing anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber angle (ACA) changes in five-year follow-up and evaluating factors associated with ACD and ACA changes in glaucoma eyes.
Methods: :
One hundred and seventy-nine eyes of 179 patients (107 POAG patients and 72 NTG patients) who were followed up for approximately five years from 2003 were recruited. Those subjects with a history of incisional surgery or laser, employing any drugs that may influence the anterior chamber configuration, or secondary types of glaucoma were excluded. The patients underwent a series of ophthalmologic examinations including intraocular pressure measurement (IOP) by Goldmann applanation tonometry, Humphrey static visual filed test, refractive error test, visual acuity test, and general health questionnaire in addition to the ACD, ACA, and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement by SPAC. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine factors associated with changes in ACD and ACA.
Results: :
Male patients had greater mean ACD (7.2 grade) and ACA than those of females (6.0 grade) (P=0.0001) both in 2003 and 2008 surveys, which indicates that male patients had significantly deeper anterior chamber and wider angle opening than female patients. Mean ACD and ACA of all participants were significantly decreased from 2003 to 2008 (P<0.0001). In multivariate analyses, mean ACD decline were positively associated with female sex, old age, greater ACD baseline, and visual acuity decrease (P<0.0001). Greater ACA baseline and hyperopia were associated with more rapidly decrease in ACA. Although all measured ACD points decreased by time, more peripheral ACD showed more decreasing in ACD. Eyes with shallower ACD showed more rapid deterioration of their visual field defect and greater increase in the number of anti-glaucoma eyedrops comparing with those with deeper ACD.
Conclusions: :
This study confirmed that ACD and ACA of glaucoma eye declined significantly in five-year follow-up. Peripheral ACD greatly declined compared with central ACD. Certain factors may be involved in rapid changes in the anterior chamber configuration.
Keywords: anterior chamber • aging