Abstract
Purpose::
To describe the distribution and correlates of ocular biometry in an adult urban Malay population.
Methods::
A population-based, cross-sectional study of Malays aged 40-79 years residing in Singapore was conducted. Assessments were carried out at a centralized clinic. Ocular dimensions, including axial length (AL) and anterior chamber (AC) depth were measured using an optical biometric device (IOL Master). Corneal curvature (CC) and cycloplegic refraction were measured with an autorefractor, with refraction further refined subjectively. Lens nuclear opacity was graded clinically using the modified Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCS III) score. Analyses were restricted to phakic subjects and only data from the right eye were presented.
Results::
Of the 4,168 eligible participants, 3,280 (78.7%) were examined. Of these, ocular biometry data were available in 2,869 (87.5%) subjects. After adjusting for age and height, women had significantly shorter AC depth (3.06mm vs 3.15mm, p=0.003) and higher LOCS III score (3.18 vs 3.15, p=0.026) than male. The differences in AL (p=0.189), CC (p=0.786) and refractive status (p=0.577) between gender were not significant. Older people were more likely to have shorter AL (p<0.001) and AC depth (p<0.001), less negative refractive error (p<0.001) and higher LOCS III score (p<0.001). No significant changes in corneal curvature with increasing age were found (p=0.227).
Conclusions::
Malay women have shallower AC depth and higher LOCS III score than men. AL, AC depth and LOCS III score increased with age, but corneal curvature remained fairly constant across age range. The shorter AC depth in women is consistent with data on the higher prevalence and incidence of angle-closure glaucoma in Asian women.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications